(BPT) - Playing host this holiday season? Skip the complicated recipes that take hours of prep time and serve your guests easy, Mediterranean-inspired foods instead. Whether you’re throwing a lavish party or a casual get together, the simplest foods are often the biggest crowd pleasers.

Olives are the ideal starting point for festive party food. Here are five ways to turn these tasty, Mediterranean snacks into no-fuss party fare:

1. Antipasto

Antipasto with salami, cheese and olives

To make a colorful antipasto platter, pair seasoned, pitted olives like new Pearls California-Grown Specialties Olives in three flavors with sliced salami and other cured meats, and two or three different kinds of cheeses. Add a jar of breadsticks for height or a pretty bowl filled with your favorite crackers.

2. Bruschetta

Bruschetta with olive garnish

Blend a jar of Pearls California-Grown Specialties Garlic, Lemon & Thyme Olives in a food processor to make a quick and zesty bruschetta topping. Serve on fresh bread, crispy pita, or toasted baguette. Make an eye-catching presentation by adding half an olive as garnish.

Make a tangy salsa by combining Pearls California-Grown Specialties Spicy Escabeche Olives with red bell peppers and onions. Chop by hand or use a food processor, depending on how chunky you like your salsa.

5. Just olives

Pearls California-Grown Specialties Olives

Olives are delicious and satisfying all on their own. Pick a couple of olives with big, bold flavors, such as Spicy Escabeche, Garlic Lemon & Thyme or Herbs & Sweet Pepper and serve in a colorful serving bowl. Serving pitted olives means your guests won't have to worry about disposing the pits.

(BPT) - Sensationalized nutrition headlines are everywhere, leaving consumers confused and overwhelmed at supermarkets, restaurants and even in their own kitchens. Referred to as “sound-bite science,” much of the media reporting simplifies, sensationalizes and tailors headlines to get clicks or tune-ins. As a result, consumers may miss critical information about the studies themselves. With almost 50 percent of consumers trusting media statements on health benefits in food, as foodinsights.org states, it is increasingly important for health professionals to assist consumers in reaching fact-based conclusions about new science.

Here are five nutrition myths you might have read or heard about that deserve a second look:

1. “Natural” is healthier: Just because a product is claiming to be “natural,” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthier. There is no universal definition for the term, making it even more important for consumers to view the nutrition facts panel and ingredient list for information, rather than relying on product claims.

3. Saturated fat is OK: Saturated fat has made something of a comeback due to new research that found no evidence of saturated fat’s association with heart disease. What didn’t make the headlines was the importance of looking for healthier alternatives when replacing saturated fats. Scientific evidence has found that replacing saturated fats with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats reduces total and LDL cholesterol. Bottom line: When you go to replace saturated and trans fats, look for foods high in unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, nuts and avocados.

4. Sugar intake is rising: Consumption of added sugars has actually decreased over the last 14 years at the same time that obesity rates have been increasing. Moreover, from 1970 to 2010, daily caloric intake increased by 459 calories, yet added sugar only accounted for 4 percent (20 calories) of that rise. There is no credible scientific evidence that any one single food or ingredient, including sugars and sweeteners, is uniquely responsible for obesity. The focus should be on how all foods fit into a healthy diet rather than singling out particular ingredients.

5. Eating at night contributes to weight gain: Scientific research shows that calories are calories. Timing of caloric intake is less important than total daily calories. Balance your food groups; enjoy your favorite foods, but practice moderation when eating foods that are higher in calories. And remember to exercise.

How can you tell if a story in the media is accurate or not? Here are some tips:

* Consult a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). RDN’s possess an extensive educational background in science and are a great resource for debunking nutrition myths.

* Find the actual research study itself and review the full article, instead of a journalist’s summary. Visit the scientific journal’s website or Pubmed.gov to find the full research article.

* Ask yourself if the reporter is promoting food fears by making sweeping claims about a specific ingredient. If the answer is yes, it’s likely the reporter is failing to provide key information from the study.

The constant stream of information from innumerable media sources makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction. These tips will help you to cut through the clutter and become a more informed consumer.

This content is sponsored by the Corn Refiners Association. For more information on sweeteners, visit SweetSurprise.com.

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http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/20950747_web.jpgWhy you should consider the Mediterranean diet808254010512/21/2014

(BPT) - A healthy diet can be the foundation of a healthy life. While there are many food choices and diet options, one diet consistently grabs the attention of researchers.

“The Mediterranean diet has been, and continues to be, studied widely,” says physician assistant Tricia A. Howard, a faculty member at South University, Savannah’s College of Health Professions. “I would recommend considering the Mediterranean diet to anyone who wants to make a healthy lifestyle change.”

The Mediterranean diet is named after the geographical part of the world where most people consume plentiful amounts of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts and fish.

“This is a diet high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, which have many important health benefits,” explains Howard.

Some of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet can be seen quickly. Howard says many patients see improvement in cholesterol levels and begin to lose weight within a few months of adopting the diet. Numerous research studies show that the long-term benefits include a decreased risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.

But Howard cautions that the Mediterranean diet is not about quick fixes. Instead, it is a lifestyle change that you need to follow consistently for years in order to reap all the benefits.

“To get the many health benefits numerous researchers have found come with this diet, you must commit to it,” Howard explains. “Following this diet and benefiting from it is really about deciding that you are ready to take control of your health and about being willing to make substantial changes in how you eat and what you cook.

“A lot of wonderful foods are included in the Mediterranean diet,” says Howard. “But, red meat is not part of the diet, and that can make it tough for some people to strictly adhere to it.”

Howard says even if you can’t strictly follow the Mediterranean diet, everyone should try to incorporate as many aspects of it as they can into their daily diet.

“Substituting things in your diet that you know aren’t the healthiest choices and replacing them with foods found in the Mediterranean diet is a smart decision,” Howard says. “And, it may help you begin the process of moving away from an unhealthy diet and towards one that has been proven repeatedly to have benefits.

“Choosing foods from the Mediterranean diet is definitely a step in the right direction.”

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/18724552_web.jpgHealthy starts: The surprisingly simple way to make your own baby and toddler food80860751552/25/2015

(BPT) - Want to give your family a jump-start on good nutrition? By introducing your children to a nourishing, whole-food diet at a very young age, you can teach them to prefer the taste of real foods over more processed ones. This lays the foundation for healthy eating habits later in life.

Help your little ones crawl into a wholesome lifestyle by making your own baby and toddler food. Here are some tips to follow to introduce a meal plan that ensures your child consumes high-quality, healthful ingredients.

Start early

Developing eating habits and food preferences is a learned process – just like starting to walk or potty train. In order to instill healthy eating habits in children, it is essential to expose infants older than 6 months to the taste and texture of a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. When introduced to these foods early, children are more likely to adopt and practice beneficial eating habits in adulthood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

First bites

First bites are a big milestone in a baby’s life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting solid foods around 6 months of age. After introducing your child to single-grain, iron-fortified cereal, you can experiment with different vegetable and fruit purees and tailor each meal specifically to your child’s preference and needs. To make your own purees, invest in a quality blender such as the Vitamix 5200, that easily blends whole food ingredients to a silky smooth texture, offering a convenient and tasty way to create hearty and nutritious meals.

When it comes to deciding between introducing a fruit or vegetable first, there are no hard and fast rules, and it makes no difference to your baby in terms of ease of digestion. Some choose to introduce fruits first due to the sweet taste that mirrors breast milk, while others like to start with vegetables, so the child will be more likely to accept the taste. Whichever you choose, it is important to remember to only introduce one new food every three to four days, as this will help you determine whether your child has a reaction to a certain ingredient.

Fun with fruits and veggies

As your little one grows, continuing good eating habits can be tricky. The toddler years are a time of transition and independence, when they learn to eat table food and experiment with a variety of tastes and textures. Kids are also notoriously fussy during this time and may reject some of the most nutritious foods. Serving your children homemade fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies is one of the simplest and most delicious ways to fit several servings of healthy produce into their diets.

Children experience rapid growth and development during the first few years. It is essential that they be fed a healthy and nutritious diet in order to maximize this time. Also, when it comes to eating, be sure to lead by example and also consume some of the same ingredients.

Fool-proof recipes

Making your own baby and toddler food allows you to know exactly what you're feeding your little ones. It increases the nutritional value and freshness of foods and eliminates additives with a lower overall cost. Create a versatile and simple meal plan for your child with the ingredients below as well as a tasty smoothie recipe.

Choose one or more items from the list of sample ingredients and prepare accordingly. Place into the Vitamix 5200 container along with 1/4 cup water, formula or breast milk and secure lid.

Select Variable 1.

Turn machine on and slowly increase to Variable 4. Increase speed as needed, depending on ingredients used, to achieve the desired consistency. If necessary, use the tamper to press any ingredients into the blade while processing.

Blend for 20-30 seconds. If mixture is too thick, remove the lid plug and add additional water, formula or breast milk, 1/4 cup at a time through the lid plug opening. Continue blending to achieve desired consistency.

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

2. Select Variable 1.

3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

4. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/21517334_web.jpgEvery day heart health in February and beyond80981501022/20/2015

(BPT) - It’s February again, and that means it’s American Heart Month. With all of the health information out there, it can be hard to figure out how to work heart healthy choices into your daily routine. Robyn Flipse, MS, MA, RDN says that by keeping a few simple tips in mind for foods, beverages and overall health, you can make small changes this month that will benefit your heart all year round.

A balanced healthy eating plan that is low in saturated fat and sodium and full of fruits, vegetables, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, fish, high-fiber whole grain breads and cereals will help improve heart health. Select from this wide variety of meal options and make heart-healthy choices all day long.

Heart-healthy ways to start your day

Simple swaps like full fat dairy for lower fat milk, yogurt and cheese will help start your day on a heart-healthy note. A few more examples to kick your day off right include:

Maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce the risk for heart disease, and this requires knowing how many calories you eat each day. But aside from weight and calories, it’s important to know all the factors that contribute to heart health. Be sure to talk to your doctor about lipid levels (cholesterol and triglyceride), blood pressure, fasting glucose (blood sugar), Body Mass Index and weight circumference numbers, and discuss any changes to your routine that can improve your heart health this February and beyond.

Robyn Flipse, MS, MA, RDN is a registered dietitian and cultural anthropologist with a focus on the societal forces continually shaping eating behavior and food trends. Her 30 year career includes maintaining a busy nutrition counseling practice, teaching food and nutrition courses at the university level, authoring two popular diet books (The Wedding Dress Diet and Fighting the Freshman Fifteen) and numerous articles on diet and health and her high-traffic blog, TheEverydayRD. Today she is multimedia spokesperson and consultant to global food and beverage companies, including The Coca-Cola Company.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/21501400_web.jpgHow to enjoy your holiday without the stress808253445012/5/2014

(BPT) - It’s ironic that a time traditionally associated with good cheer and merriment can turn into a virtual nervous breakdown for so many people. High expectations paint the holidays as a time of fun and joy, and when people don’t feel this way they then feel even worse because they somehow aren’t living up to an idyllic portrait of the season.

This is where physical and mental health play an important role in helping people better manage holiday stress. Experts in the areas of family psychology and health have come up with some sensible tips they hope will provide some comfort and joy to the faithless, weary and frazzled this holiday season.

Avoid family burnout

The classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” portrays idealized images of family harmony during the holidays: everybody gathered around a piano and roaring fireplace, singing carols, merrily laughing and drinking eggnog - with every family member present. In the past, the holiday season was a way for families to take a break from their difficult work life and come together in celebration. But sometimes these gatherings aren’t so ideal.

“When a family comes together for the holidays, some members simply don’t get along with each other for a variety of reasons,” says Dr. Jim Wasner, dean of the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Schaumburg. “To avoid ruining a family gathering, try thinking of holiday visits more like a special ritual, such as a wedding or birthday party. It’s fine to be on your best behavior and not deal with hurts or grudges because of the special event.”

If you are not on the best terms with a relative and feel like you need to talk to him or her about it, Dr. Wasner recommends you do it one-on-one before the holiday visit, either on the phone, by mail or during a shorter visit. If that is not possible, there is nothing wrong with setting limits on the time that you spend with that relative.

Protecting against health concerns

Santa Claus isn’t the only one who has to worry about a big belly during the holidays so be sure to consider your physical health as a way to help manage your holiday stress. Betsy Kawecki, nursing faculty member at South University, West Palm Beach, believes that major health complaints that surface during holidays, such as gaining weight, are a result of extremes in behavior. Overeating leads to indigestion as a result of increased proportions of food and indulging in foods with a high degree of fat, explains Kawecki. She suggests that attitude plays a significant part on dieting expectations and actions. If you view the holiday season as the last hurrah, you will be more likely to overindulge and gain weight.

Kawecki says that during the holidays, it’s important to maintain health-promoting behaviors, but you should also be flexible. Exercise by speed-shopping in the malls instead your usual walk around the block. Maintain a normal healthy diet and eat your five fruits and vegetables a day, especially on party days. Be a healthy host or hostess by cooking low-fat, presenting food in various locations to promote mingling and not just eating, and making portions small.

Overall pacing oneself is essential, says Kawecki. The holiday season involves more than one day. With holiday shopping, decorating, parties, feasts and traveling, people should worry most about trying to keep balance in their lives and maintaining healthy habits.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/18717656_web.jpgHave food allergies? Top tips for dining out and cooking at home808253365011/5/2014

(BPT) - An estimated 15 million people in the United States, including one in 13 children, suffer from food allergies, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). A wide range of reactions to food allergens can provide a unique set of challenges when dining out and even cooking at home. How can someone with food allergies still enjoy foods safely at home and while away?

Culinary professionals from The Art Institutes system of schools provide tips for navigating menus and recipes.

Dining out

“One of the most important things for people with food allergies is to be vocal about those food allergies,” says chef Jennifer Brooks-Stadler of The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago. She says to make your allergies known, not only because of substitutions but also to ensure your meal hasn’t been prepared using cookware and utensils that have come in contact with the food you are allergic to.

“Ten or more yeas ago, the restaurant industry wasn’t very receptive to food allergies, intolerances and menu item substitutions. Today, this is not the case,” says chef Andrew Dole of The Art Institute of Colorado. “The consumer is in the driver’s seat when it comes to ordering meal alterations.”

To make dining experiences easier, Dole recommends looking up the menu or calling ahead to ask questions. Diners should also keep in mind that if they make special requests, they should allow for extra cooking time.

Dole also advises having a few go-to restaurants where you can get a meal without a hassle. “This doesn’t mean that trying out new restaurants is out of the question, but at peak meal times or on busy nights of the week, it doesn’t hurt to go with what one knows,” he says.

In the kitchen

Brooks-Stadler says there are three ways to work around a food allergy: reduce, replace or eliminate. “The home cook needs to know what they like and be willing to experiment a little,” she says. “There will be some fails.”

Eggs and nuts are two common food allergens but there are ways to work around them when cooking at home. “The egg is a very versatile ingredient that provides structure, binding and leavening,” says Dole. “Substituting for one or two eggs requires knowing what role the egg is playing in the recipe.” For more than two eggs, Dole recommends looking for a new recipe that doesn’t incorporate eggs.

Brooks-Stadler says you can substitute fruit and vegetable purees such as applesauce, pumpkin or squash for breads and baking. These purees can also be used when making homemade pasta.

For eggs being used as a binder, Dole suggests using a mashed banana, Xantham gum or another thick mashed or pureed fruit substitute. Applesauce works well to contribute moisture, and if the egg is the leavening element in a recipe, a small amount of baking powder can be used.

“A lot of people have different levels of allergies to nuts. Maybe you can’t have almonds, but you can have peanuts,” says Brooks-Stadler. She recommends substituting seeds and seed butters for nuts and nut butters.

Dole adds that seeds are crunchy with a good fat content, making them a great nut substitute in salads, baking and for garnishes. To replace the healthy fats found in nuts, olives, olive oils, canola oils and avocados will do the trick.

“I’d tell anyone with a food allergy or intolerance to ask for what you want. Be up front, and don’t hide it. It isn’t worth the consequences,” says Dole. Brooks-Stadler agrees, “The best thing I would recommend to people is to be aware and hyper-vigilant. Listen to your body.”

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/18709564_web.jpgWarming up to winter [Infographic]809672010112/23/2014

(BPT) - There are many ways to stay warm this winter, and they don't all involve cozying up with a blanket. Check out these fun and delicious winter warm-ups that will have you feeling joyous and toasty all season long.

(BPT) - A great coffee maker can go a long way toward crafting the perfect cup of coffee at home. A high-quality machine is just one part of the equation.

“Everyone has their ideal cup of coffee based on their preferences,” says Pete Licata, 2013 world barista champion. “No coffee is better, just different. Understanding the basic pieces that make up those differences can help anyone brew a perfect cup at home.”

Here are some tips to achieve cafe-quality coffee without leaving your kitchen.

The beans

Beans are the most critical ingredient in the quest for coffee perfection. For the best flavor, buy fresh, local, whole coffee beans. Still overwhelmed by the choices? Start with an easy-to-drink medium roast, or ask your local barista for suggestions.

The storage

Contrary to popular belief, coffee won’t stay fresher longer in the refrigerator or freezer. Moisture will cause coffee beans to deteriorate, so keep your beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry space.

The grind

The coffee grind is the key point in adjusting flavor, especially when making espresso. (By the way, espresso is not a roast, bean or specific blend. The difference between regular coffee and espresso is the brewing process.) A finer grind slows extraction, making for a stronger, lower-toned flavor – think semisweet chocolate. A coarser grind will speed up the extraction and bring more acidity, similar to citrus, to the flavor.

The maintenance

For the everyday coffee lover, try investing in a built-in gourmet coffee system for your kitchen. Wolf's new system makes professional-quality brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte and macchiato, and perfectly steams and foams milk in seconds, producing a consistently delicious cup of coffee, every time. One-touch convenience adds ease to the system's milk cleaning feature, which uses steam and requires no disassembly. Also stay away from flavored coffees with names like "vanilla" or "hazelnut." They can often leave residual oils in your machine that will be difficult to get rid of.

The milk

In most cases, use 2 percent or whole milk to create perfect foam. Fat content creates a better, sweeter taste and texture. However, Wolf's coffee systems produce the best froth when using skim or semi-skimmed milk, which is also the healthiest way. Lactose intolerant? Soy milk and almond milk will work, but because oat milk has the same proton and fat structures as dairy milk, it will produce a more similar foam.

The crema

Crema is the white or light-brown froth at the top of your coffee – a suspended emulsion of bubbles, oils and gasses extracted from the bean. This is the sign of quality extraction and fresh beans. The fineness and tightness of the bubbles add texture.

]]>The only secret you need to know for successful holiday meal planning809419010111/12/2014

(BPT) - You don't need the juggling skills of a big-top performer in order to host a successful holiday gathering. Careful planning, time management and an eye for adding quick and easy 'homemade' touches will make your gathering one for the memory books, while still having plenty of time to enjoy the company of your guests. Don't let poor planning leave you cooped up in a hot kitchen while everyone else revels in the joys of the season.

"The secret to holiday meal time-management is simple: Know where to spend and know where to save, without sacrificing the homemade taste" says Victoria Hudgins, an entertaining expert. "Reducing time spent on certain aspects of the meal can allow you to invest more in other areas. For example, instead of spending hours making a homemade dessert, consider a high-quality store-bought pie and some whipped topping to put your own special touches on at home and achieve the homemade look and taste."

Victoria offers these tips on how to balance meal prep time:

Save on an already "homemade" dessert: The last course of the meal is your final chance to wow guests, but many of the most impressive holiday desserts are also the most time-consuming to prepare. You can serve an outstanding dessert with virtually no prep time and without losing the truly homemade taste, thanks to frozen brands like Marie Callender's. Along with the homemade scent and flavor, Marie's starts your 'homemade' pie for you, allowing time to add your own special touches such as sugar cookie cutouts placed on the pie before baking. For additional homemade elements, be sure to choose varieties that have those special touches you would add if you were doing the baking - like hand-picked apples and hand-placed chocolate curls.

What to do with the time you save: Invest in making a main course that will leave guests impressed and full. The extra hour you save on dessert prep could be just enough time to add flare to the turkey, holiday ham or even some knock-out steaks.

Save on appetizers: Appetizers set the tone for the meal, so they need to be appealing. On the other hand, you don't want guests to fill up on them and have no room left for the main course. Keeping appetizers light and simple saves room in guests' tummies and saves you time, too. Serve simple two-ingredient appetizers or even store-bought options to minimize prep time.

What to do with the time you save: Put the time-savings toward more sophisticated side dishes. Along with traditional family favorites like stuffing and mashed potatoes, try something new that might require a bit more prep and longer cooking time, such as a winter squash souffle.

Save on topping off your holidays dishes: No one wants to serve dull dishes, and you don't have to spend a lot of time to add pizzazz. Simple touches, like adding Reddi-wip, can transform a variety of dishes. For example, basic eggnog gets a pop of mint flavor and festive color with Reddi-Wip peppermint chocolate egg nog. A whoosh of topping sprinkled with crushed peppermint candies creates a joyful touch on this jazzed-up holiday favorite. Best of all, adding this real cream goodness is just 15 calories.

What to do with the time you save: Add more pizzazz to holiday decorating. Create a stunning centerpiece for the table featuring holiday items like fresh pine branches, scented pine cones, pillar candles in holiday colors and even Christmas balls. Incorporate festive touches in table settings, such as napkin holders made from a single artificial poinsettia blossom and holiday ribbon, chair covers in holiday patterns, and place card holders made from pine cones.

Save on invitations. Instead of the time and money you would invest in choosing, preparing and mailing paper invitations, use e-invitations instead. It's easy to find free online services that allow you to create and send digital invitations, and many even track responses and maintain an up-to-date guest list.

What to do with the time you save: Perfect your holiday playlist. Holiday music playing in the background can underscore the mood of your holiday event. With the time you've saved on invitations, you'll have plenty of opportunity to peruse online playlists and find the perfect mix of holiday songs - traditional, instrumental, country or contemporary - to accompany the festivities.

"Getting ready for holiday guests doesn't have to be stressful and time-consuming," Hudgins says. "Substitutions like frozen desserts, additions such as whipped topping, and some smart time management can help you make the most of your prep time, so that you have more precious moments with those you love."

(BPT) - What should you make for dinner? Most people ask that question at least once a week. For people with pancreatic cancer, however, daily meal-planning comes with particular challenges, such as ensuring they get enough nutrition and managing issues from their cancer or treatment. If you have pancreatic cancer or care for someone who does, you probably know that it’s not always easy to obtain the nutrients needed.

Strategies to promote better digestion and less nausea including consuming small, frequent meals; separating the consumption of beverages and food; and eating slowly. Those symptoms and others, such as loss of appetite and abdominal pain/cramping, are commonly faced by many people with pancreatic cancer as a result of their cancer or treatment and can interfere with getting much needed nutrients.

Additional tips include keeping a food diary to help identify foods that may be triggering pain, discomfort or indigestion, and keeping your mouth clean and healthy with frequent brushing and a simple homemade mouth rinse consisting of 4 cups of water, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon baking soda, to be prepared daily.

“Cooking. Comfort. Care. Nourishment for the Pancreatic Cancer Fight” is an educational program that highlights the unique nutritional issues faced by people living with pancreatic cancer and provides strategies, like those above, to help them. The program, sponsored by Celgene and developed in conjunction with culinary expert Chef Michael Ferraro, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and Meals to Heal, offers tips for managing nutritional challenges, recipes specially developed for people with pancreatic cancer, and how-to videos.

“I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this program because there’s no reason that people with pancreatic cancer shouldn’t have tasty, nutritious food that is easy to prepare,” says Chef Ferraro, who witnessed firsthand the nutritional challenges resulting from pancreatic cancer after his mother was diagnosed.

Ferraro worked with registered oncology dietitian Jessica Iannotta at Meals to Heal to create Turkey Sweet Potato Hash, a nutrient-dense dish that is a good source of protein and B vitamins, that can help boost energy – especially important because of the fatigue that patients can experience. In addition, the cooked apple and sweet potato provide fiber that is easily tolerated and full of antioxidants like beta-carotene and quercetin.

Simple meals like shakes and smoothies are often helpful ways for people with pancreatic cancer to get the nutrients they need. A Peaches and Cream Smoothie combines the potassium and fiber benefits of peaches and bananas along with soluble fiber from rolled oats, which can help alleviate loose bowel movements and promote regularity. Protein powder can be added for additional nutritional value, if approved by a patient’s healthcare team.

The Cooking. Comfort. Care. Nourishment for the Pancreatic Cancer Fight program was created by Celgene Corporation in collaboration with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Meals to Heal and Chef Michael Ferraro. The recipes and tips featured were developed by registered dietitians who are board-certified specialists in oncology nutrition, along with Chef Ferraro. The content is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your healthcare team for nutritional advice or specific questions you have about managing your condition or that of a loved one.

(BPT) - Experts agree that the food babies eat helps set the stage for growth and development, but did you know that it also impacts long-term eating habits and taste development?

Children who consumed fruits and vegetables infrequently and drank sweet drinks during late infancy showed those same habits at age six, according to new data published in the journal Pediatrics. Infants who consumed sweetened beverages more than three times a week at 10-12 months were twice as likely to be obese at age six.

These findings validate the 2008 Nestle Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS), which also found eating habits are set in early infancy and mimic unhealthy eating habits seen in older children and adults. FITS is the largest, most comprehensive dietary intake survey of over 3,300 parents and caregivers of young children. The FITS findings showed preschoolers are getting nearly one-third (400 calories) of their total daily calories from fats and added sugars, and common childhood foods such as whole milk, cheese and hot dogs are contributing to excessive saturated fat and sodium in young children’s diets.

Nutrition expert Dr. Kathleen Reidy, who heads Nutrition, Meals and Drinks at Nestle Nutrition, says, “What you feed your baby now affects them not just today, but tomorrow and beyond. The first years of a child’s life are a critical period of development, and instilling good eating habits during this time can help put a child on the path to a healthy future.”

For parents and caregivers, Dr. Reidy has some tips to help instill healthy eating habits for young children:

Meal time is game time

* Replace foods high in saturated fat with lean meats, low-fat dairy products and foods high in healthier fats such as avocado, fish and those made with olive, safflower and canola oils.

* Offer a variety of healthy foods, and try to set a good example by eating them yourself. If a child sees mom, dad or siblings eating a nutritious food, she may be more willing to try it.

* Milk is key in children’s diets and a top contributor of many important nutrients. Children over the age of two should be offered lower fat options such as one percent and skim instead of whole milk to limit saturated fat intake.

Don’t forget the fruits and veggies

* Pick foods low in salt/sodium, such as fruits and vegetables instead of those high in sodium like hot dogs, chicken nuggets and dishes that contain cheese.

* Offer a rainbow of fruits and vegetables for snacks and meals; for mixed dishes, choose items with a serving of vegetables.

* If your baby or toddler resists a new fruit or vegetable, don’t fret and try again. It can take up to 10 tries before a child accepts a new food.

* Speak with family and other caregivers about limiting sweets and choosing healthy snacks when they are caring for your child.

For additional tips on providing babies and toddlers with the best nutrition and a foundation for healthy eating habits, visit www.gerber.com to learn more.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/20779925_web.jpg10 tips for a healthy start in 201580975601011/27/2015

(BPT) - The new year brings so many possibilities and opportunities to grow, enhance and do things differently. But change can be a challenge as nothing worth achieving comes easy.

Keep these tips from Tara Gidus, RD, nutrition and fitness expert and consultant for California Raisins, in mind for a healthy start in 2015.

1. Say no to the shoulds.

Telling yourself what you should do isn’t very motivating. We likely know what we should do, but this year ask yourself, “what do I want to do?” This positive perspective can make all the difference in achieving your goals.

2. The buddy system does work.

Let a trusted friend, spouse or family member in on your goal. Tell them how they can help you stay accountable. Maybe this person will workout with you, or you can both share meal plans and healthy recipes together? Healthy lifestyles thrive in community.

3. Pack smart snacks.

Stay energized throughout the day by packing healthy snacks that are convenient for your on-the-go lifestyle. Add California Raisins or trail mix to your gym bag or purse for portable snacking.

4. Track it.

Studies have shown that people who have written goals are more likely to achieve them. Take notes, journal motivational quotes, and keep a food log to stay on track in the new year.

5. Fill half your plate with produce.

To meet your daily fruit and veggie quota, make half your plate produce. These foods contain fibers that take longer to digest, help with blood sugar control, promote digestion and can aid in weight loss as they fill you up faster on fewer calories. Get your fruit and veggie on.

6. Be inspired.

Have a goal in mind? Keep thinking about that goal. Sometimes we get overwhelmed with the process but instead keep your mind on the prize and the steps to get there will seem less daunting.

7. Keep hydrated.

Dehydration is one of the biggest contributors to fatigue and food cravings. This is because we derive 20 percent of our daily fluid needs from food. So don’t let your brain trick you into thinking you’re hungry if you’re really just thirsty. The Institute of Medicine recommends men get 120 ounces and women 90 ounces of fluids daily.

8. Set small goals.

A healthy lifestyle cannot be achieved overnight - or in a few weeks for that matter - as it’s a daily commitment with lots of little baby steps. Make your goals small and achievable so that change is lasting and adopted for the long haul.

9. Skip added sugar.

Eat whole natural foods to prevent sugar spikes and unwanted weight gain in 2015. Read the ingredient labels to see if sugar is lurking in your food. Fill up on fruit, veggies, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and unsweetened dairy. Dried fruit is a healthy choice too. Just make sure it comes by its sweetness naturally, like California Raisins that contain no added sugar.

10. Recharge your batteries.

Keep in mind you cannot go full speed year round or you might reach burn out. Set aside time each morning, evening, or weekend to recharge. Schedule a vacation or just disconnect from your social media accounts for a few hours. Taking time for yourself and recharging your batteries will make your long term goals more sustainable.

New Year’s resolutions offer a fresh perspective and a chance for change. Here’s to your future success and a healthy start in 2015.

(BPT) - The 2014 World Food Championships combined food, fame and fortune into one week-long event, featuring nearly 500 of the world’s best cooks and chefs battling it out for hundreds of thousands of dollars in Las Vegas. The World Recipe Championship category challenged the 37 participating chefs to create a signature dish using two required ingredients: cheese and potatoes. From Russets to reds, yellows, whites, purples, petites and fingerlings, there was a potato type available for any imaginable recipe. The Top 10 recipes from the World Recipe Championship are included below and are available on the U.S. Potato Board website at www.potatogoodness.com.

Created by David Grower, the grand prize-winning recipe will satisfy any comfort food craving. Potatoes, bacon, cheddar, jalapeno peppers and cream cheese combine for a creamy, oven-baked dish that you won’t soon forget.

It’s no surprise that this soup took home top honors. Runner-up Anthony Serrano created his mouth-watering soup by combining a host of vegetables, including potatoes, with three different types of cheese – and beer! Fried zucchini flowers top off this spectacular soup.

Duck fat fries serve as the basis for this inspired dish by Sandi Sheppard. White potatoes are sliced into thick-cut fries and cooked in peanut oil and duck fat to serve as the basis for the duck and corn and crab relish.

This gratin gets it Southwestern flair from Anaheim peppers and Oaxacan cheese which are layered together between planks of Russet potatoes. A garnish of a “potato rose,” a paper-thin potato slice soaked in chili oil and baked in a muffin tin to create a rose shape, completes the dish.

]]>The importance of maintaining family traditions through the holidays809416010111/11/2014

(BPT) - Holiday celebrations are a time for family, food, and fun. Part of what makes each holiday a special occasion are the family traditions that are celebrated and passed down each year.

Research shows traditions are important to families because they build strong relationships between generations. Because these customs are so cherished, children often remember these special experiences from the holiday season more than the toys or gifts they receive. Additionally, traditions can teach children about important values like family and community.

Here are a few reasons why traditions matter and how they create lasting memories:

* Traditions bring people together - There’s nothing like preparing a holiday recipe that’s been handed down from one generation to the next. It’s a wonderful time to reminisce about how the recipe brings back fond memories of holidays past while at the same time creating new memories as you prepare and enjoy the dish with the help of family and friends.

“Traditions are an important part of celebrating the holidays,” says Marnely Rodriguez-Murray, of the food blog Cooking with Books. “Many of them revolve around special-occasion food – and those familiar tastes and smells have the ability to bring families of all shapes and sizes together.”

* Traditions can evolve over time - As families change, so do traditions. Embrace these changes by creating new traditions or refining old ones. You can help make the holidays more special and memorable by giving others a chance to make suggestions for starting new and improving existing traditions.

“Millions of family traditions include sharing Hickory Farms gifts filled with signature sausages and cheeses before a holiday meal, when entertaining or while unwrapping gifts,” said Rodriguez-Murray. “This year, start a new one by secretly dropping a piece of their new Signature Chocolate Collection into someone’s hot cocoa when they aren’t looking. They’ll be both surprised and delighted.”

Available at www.hickoryfarms.com and at Hickory Farms Holiday Market locations nationwide, these products can become a new family holiday tradition.

* Traditions are just plain fun - Traditions produce long-lasting memories for everyone, like the annual family Thanksgiving football game or everyone opening their matching pajamas on Christmas Eve, because they have the ability to make people laugh and smile. What’s more, these joyful traditions give family members something additional to look forward to each and every year. The repetition of these moments over time builds anticipation as each holiday season returns, enhancing the excitement, joy and fun for all.

Make this holiday season special by creating and preserving family traditions that will last a lifetime.

(BPT) - With so many sweeteners on the market today, it’s hard to know what to buy. This season is a great time to learn about sweeteners and get creative in kitchen. Understand the various natural sweeteners and what their benefits are, as well as the recipes where they work best to make your dishes pop.

* Turbinado sugar.Popularized by the brand, Sugar In The Raw, this large golden crystal sugar has a distinct crunchy texture and molasses taste. Add it to your warm beverages such as coffee, tea, cappuccino or latte. Use in glazes, sauces and rubs for meat and poultry. It works wonderfully as a finishing sugar on muffins, cookies and other baked treats.

* Stevia. This plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener hit the shelves in the U.S. in 2008. Works great in cold and warm beverages or in cooking and baking recipes. Stevia In The Raw has a Bakers Bag that measures like sugar, making it easy to reduce calories without tricky conversions. For recipes that require baking, in order to brown and rise, replace half of the total amount of sugar with stevia. For recipes that do not require baking, you can replace all added sugar with stevia.

* Raw honey. Raw honey is packed with natural enzymes, phytonutrients and minerals. It’s not recommended for baking, because it kills the enzymes and removes the nutritional benefits. Raw honey can be used in frostings and dressings. Store-shelf honey can be heated and used in place of sugar, in recipes like pumpkin bread and granola bars.

* Agave. This liquid sweetener is harvested from the core of the Mexican Blue Agave plant. It’s a delicious way to top pancakes, waffles, oatmeal or yogurt and works well to sweeten hot and cold drinks. It is also a good substitute for sugar in many baking recipes for its ability to brown and make baked goods moist. Consider Agave In The Raw, which is 100 percent organic, vegan and gluten free. Agave is also low-glycemic.

* Molasses. Molasses can add intense flavor to cookies, quick breads, muffins, or any baked good with aromatic spices like allspice or cloves.

* Monk fruit.This sweetener is fairly new to the U.S. market but has been used for centuries in Asia. It is a zero-calorie, sugar substitute with a delicious taste that can be used in any recipe that calls for sugar, and is ideal for people looking to cut added sugars without sacrificing taste. Like stevia, Monk Fruit In The Raw is also available in packets and a Bakers Bag with equal measurement to sugar. People will never know your sugar cookies have half the calories.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, and set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high to beat the butter until fluffy, two minutes. Add the white sugar and beat until the mixture for three minutes. Add the egg, then the yolk and vanilla, beating well between additions. Add the Monk Fruit and beat until just combined. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients, until the mixture is clumpy. Stop blending and use a flexible spatula to complete mixing the dough. Turn the dough out onto a counter and divide it in half. Shape each half into a log 6-inches long and 2-inches in diameter. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap. Chill the dough for at least two hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the sugar in a small bowl. With a sharp, thin knife, cut each log into quarter-inch slices. If the logs have flattened on one side, use your fingers to gently shape the slices into rounds. One at a time, lightly press one side of the cookies into the Sugar In The Raw, then place it sugar-side up on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving 1 1/2-inches between cookies.

Bake on the center rack for 11-13 minutes, until the cookies are firm when pressed in the center and evenly pale gold in color. Let the cookies rest for 1 minute on the baking sheet. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely. Keep tightly covered in a tin, for up to one week.

* Turbinado sugar. Popularized by the brand, Sugar In The Raw, this large golden crystal sugar has a distinct crunchy texture and molasses taste. Add it to your warm beverages such as coffee, tea, cappuccino or latte. Use in glazes, sauces and rubs for meat and poultry. It works wonderfully as a finishing sugar on muffins, cookies and other baked treats to give it that holiday shine.

* Stevia. This plant-based, zero-calorie sweetener hit the shelves in the U.S. in 2008. Works great in cold and warm beverages or in cooking and baking recipes. Stevia In The Raw has a Bakers Bag that measures like sugar, making it easy to reduce calories without tricky conversions. For recipes that require baking, in order to brown and rise, replace half of the total amount of sugar with stevia. For recipes that do not require baking, you can replace all added sugar with stevia.

* Raw honey. Raw honey is packed with natural enzymes, phytonutrients and minerals. It’s not recommended for baking, because it kills the enzymes and removes the nutritional benefits. Raw honey can be used in frostings and dressings. Store-shelf honey can be heated and used in place of sugar, in recipes like pumpkin bread and granola bars.

* Agave. This liquid sweetener is harvested from the core of the Mexican Blue Agave plant. It’s a delicious way to top pancakes, waffles, oatmeal or yogurt and works well to sweeten hot and cold drinks. It is also a good substitute for sugar in many baking recipes for its ability to brown and make baked goods moist. Consider Agave In The Raw, which is 100 percent organic, vegan and gluten free. Agave is also low-glycemic.

* Monk fruit. This sweetener is fairly new to the U.S. market but has been used for centuries in Asia. It is a zero-calorie, sugar substitute with a delicious taste that can be used in any recipe that calls for sugar, and is ideal for people looking to cut added sugars without sacrificing taste. Like stevia, Monk Fruit In The Raw is also available in packets and a Bakers Bag with equal measurement to sugar. People will never know your sugar cookies have half the calories.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, and set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high to beat the butter until fluffy, two minutes. Add the white sugar and beat until the mixture for three minutes. Add the egg, then the yolk and vanilla, beating well between additions. Add the Monk Fruit and beat until just combined. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients, until the mixture is clumpy. Stop blending and use a flexible spatula to complete mixing the dough. Turn the dough out onto a counter and divide it in half. Shape each half into a log 6-inches long and 2-inches in diameter. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap. Chill the dough for at least two hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the sugar in a small bowl. With a sharp, thin knife, cut each log into quarter-inch slices. If the logs have flattened on one side, use your fingers to gently shape the slices into rounds. One at a time, lightly press one side of the cookies into the Sugar In The Raw, then place it sugar-side up on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving 1 1/2-inches between cookies.

Bake on the center rack for 11-13 minutes, until the cookies are firm when pressed in the center and evenly pale gold in color. Let the cookies rest for 1 minute on the baking sheet. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely. Keep tightly covered in a tin, for up to one week.

(BPT) - There are thousands of varieties of chilies, and this diversity, combined with their level of ripeness and whether they are used fresh, dried or even smoked, produce varied and unusual flavors. Follow this infographic to learn all about the flavors of four varieties of dried chili peppers to move your experience beyond that simple incendiary sensation too-often simply described as "hot."

(BPT) - Everybody has their own “go to” meals and cuisine preferences, but one thing is certain. Americans love to snack. No matter your gender, favorite food or meal frequency, there’s a snack for everybody. Follow this infographic from Minute Rice to learn all about the snacking habits of people across the country, discover how your own snacking habits compare, and enjoy some new snack ideas.

(BPT) - A delectable treat is a welcome addition to any holiday gathering, whether you’re attending as a guest or orchestrating the entire event as the host. Skip the chips and cookies and get creative by designing a delicious cheese platter. Your tasty plate will let loved ones sample different varieties of cheese and is sure to impress even the pickiest eaters. Plus, designing one is easier than you think with simple tips from the experts.

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Add a touch of Tuscany to your dinner table80871604071/7/2015

(BPT) - A recipe that is ideal for any occasion, from weeknight meals to Sunday suppers to get-togethers with friends, can be hard to come by. Tuscan Brined Pork Chops with Salsa Verde is a near-perfect answer for all of these occasions.

Created by food blogger Karen Tedesco of the popular blog FamilyStyle Food, this recipe was inspired by her visit to Vinci, Italy, where she experienced the people and the place behind the cooperative of more than 200 growers who work together to produce DaVinci Chianti.

Tedesco found natural herbs, including bay laurel, lavender and rosemary, growing all over the Tuscan countryside. As Tedesco explains, these are classic and delicious seasonings for thick cut pork chops with flavors that pair perfectly with a well-balanced glass of Chianti.

Put the pork chops in a gallon size freezer bag and place the bag in a large bowl. In another large bowl whisk the salt and sugar with 6 cups water until dissolved. Add the garlic, bay leaves, rosemary sprigs, chili and lemon zest. Pour the brine over the pork. Seal bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a grill. Remove chops from brine and pat dry. Place chops on the grill and cook 4 minutes per side. They should be nicely browned and register between 135 - 140 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Loosely cover the chops with foil and let rest 5 minutes. Season with black pepper to taste and sprinkle with chopped rosemary; serve with Salsa Verde.

To make Salsa Verde, pulse parsley, arugula and cilantro in a food processor until chopped. Add garlic, capers, olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt and pulse until combined. Taste and season with additional salt if desired.

(BPT) - Have you ever found yourself wondering if it was appropriate to check your work email during a holiday party? Do you feel guilty about entertaining your kids with technology during the busy holiday season?

In a recent survey commissioned by Microsoft, Americans shared their anxieties and concerns about holiday technology. Luckily for you, you’re not the only one sending your thank you notes via text and even better, most people think it’s completely acceptable.

Still wondering about holiday tech etiquette? Here are some tips to help guide you this season.

1. Don’t fret, you aren’t the only one checking your phone at the holiday table! If you find yourself sneaking a peek at your phone during the family holiday dinner – you’re not alone. Forty-one percent of Americans admit to checking their phone secretly under the holiday table, according to the survey. But phone checkers beware, while a majority of Americans feel it’s completely appropriate to check social media during holiday gatherings, only 34 percent approve of people looking at work email. If the dings of incoming emails are too enticing, use a digital personal assistant like Cortana to set quiet hours on your phone so incoming calls go straight to voicemail and all notifications are silenced.

2. Go ahead, take a holiday selfie! You’ll be in good company. According to the survey, 75 percent of American parents are likely to post to social media during a holiday gathering, so whether it’s a video of your aunt’s unique approach to mashing potatoes or pictures of the annual neighborhood Thanksgiving football game, share away!

3. Don’t stress about keeping the kids entertained. When traveling for the holidays, 72 percent of parents use technology to entertain their kids. And don’t feel guilty about letting them watch or play what they want. Only 7 percent of parents restrict kids to educational shows, movies and games compared to 40 percent who aren’t worried as much about the content, as long as it keeps kids busy in the car or on the plane.

4. Happy holidays, world! If you’re in the mood to spread holiday cheer to everyone on your contact list, pen and paper aren’t your only option. Although according to the survey, 43 percent of people still send cards via traditional mail, more than half of Americans are OK with sending mass holiday well wishes via text message. So it’s OK to forget the stamps and hit send instead to share the joy this year.

5. Use tech to make thank you’s more personal. If you’re not into writing thank-you notes the old-fashioned way, consider sending a quick video message using Skype or Qik instead. That way the gift giver can see and hear how much you appreciate the gift. You can also share a story or two about everything the family has been doing this holiday season.

You have enough to think about during the holidays. Don’t let technology etiquette add extra stress. So, go ahead and post a holiday selfie. You won’t be the only one.

(BPT) - The holiday season is a time for joy, giving and, at times, unexpected guests. For even the most unanticipated of visitors, it is wise to always be ready to share the season’s cheer with a nice hot cup of coffee, freshly-baked cookies and a welcoming home.

This year, follow these simple tips for making last-minute holiday entertaining quick, easy and stress-free:

Serve freshly-baked cookies: Keep a variety of frozen cookie dough on hand. When guests arrive, simply pull out and bake as many cookies as you need.

Light seasonal candles: Candles scented with seasonal fragrances such as gingerbread or winter greenery are an inexpensive way to make your home smell good and feel warm and inviting even without advance notice.

Stock a variety of beverages: A single-serve brewing system is one of the most helpful items to purchase for entertaining. When choosing a model, make sure to take into account convenience, compatibility and, most importantly, taste. Consider purchasing a single-serve brewing system, such as the Opus from iCoffee, available at Bed, Bath & Beyond. You don’t have to worry what brand or flavor of single serve cup you choose because the iCoffee can accept every k-style cup on the market. “I’ve tried all types of single serve coffee makers,” said Dan Kamys, Senior Editor at June Media, Inc. “If you’re looking for a darned good cup of coffee, this is the one I’d pick.”

Take 5 minutes to de-clutter: Cleaning the house for company can be an exhausting undertaking. Instead of cleaning the house from top-to-bottom before guests arrive, spend just 5 minutes each day picking up common areas so that your home is clean and organized whenever guests arrive.

Say “thank you”: At the beginning of the season, buy a selection of seasonal holiday note cards. After guests visit, mail them a short note thanking them for their friendship and for stopping by. The personal gesture will speak volumes to them.

From a hot beverage to a personalized note, hosting unexpected guests this holiday season can be fun, easy and relaxed with just a bit of preparation.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/20938264_web.jpgFlavors across America80965801012/11/2015

(BPT) - America is home to a diversity of flavors - each region of the country is known for unique dishes and flavors that people from all over the world flock to, to get a taste. America’s passion for flavor is not only shown through the variety of flavors found across the country, but also through the continuous evolution of regional dishes and tastes. Here are some favorite regional dishes and examples of how the tastes of each region are evolving:

The Midwest

The home of comfort food, the Midwest is not just the birthplace of some of the country’s favorite dishes – it’s a hotbed of creativity, often reintroducing classic favorites with contemporary twists.

* Sauerkraut. Dating back to ancient China, sauerkraut is poised to make a bold comeback in 2015. This tasty fermented cabbage will be finding a place in soups, stews, dumplings, coleslaw and even smoothies.

* Hot dish. The hot dish – a casserole-like dish – has been a Midwestern favorite for generations and has evolved with the times. Traditional hot dishes fuse starches with meat and vegetables, but new hot dish flavors have been created to reflect popular tastes such as cheeseburgers and fries, pizza and cheesy bratwurst.

The West

From the Tex-Mex of the American southwest to the latest catch in California, the west is known to break boundaries when it comes to new flavor profiles.

* The California roll. While sushi draws its origins from Japan, the California roll took sushi to a whole new level. Created by Japanese sushi chefs who first arrived in Los Angeles in the 1960s, the California roll substituted avocado for tuna to create a healthier taste. The California roll continues to evolve as chefs use other fresh ingredients such as banana or mango to update this classic roll.

* The chimichanga. The Latino population throughout the west coast and southwest have introduced amazing dishes that have become mainstream, such as the chimichanga. Though the actual inventor of the chimichanga is still widely debated, Arizona is commonly credited as the birthplace of this deep-fried burrito.

The East

Fare in the Atlantic region is very different from the Pacific’s cuisine, but it’s every bit as delicious.

* Bone broth. Bone broth, a more substantial cousin to stock, has taken off as one of the hottest new beverages to take east coast foodies by storm. Made like a stock – simmering poultry, meat, or seafood bones with seasonings in water – this nutrient-rich broth is meant to be served like tea or coffee.

* Manhattan clam chowder. Clam chowder is a defining flavor of the east coast but Manhattan clam chowder has a look and flavor all its own. A clear broth with the addition of tomatoes links the Manhattan clam chowder back to the Portuguese stews that inspired it.

The South

Southern hospitality and southern cooking go hand-in-hand. Here are a couple of staples that have become synonymous with southern states.

* American BBQ. Established in the American South in the 19th century, pork was the primary meat used in barbecues, as pigs were extremely prevalent in the region. Now American BBQ is growing in sophistication and the sweet, spicy, smoked and tomato flavors for which, American BBQ is known are being fused into dishes using various game in restaurants across the world.

* Jambalaya. One of the most historic dishes in the South, Jambalaya was created out of the French Quarter of New Orleans. The dish originates from an attempt to make paella; tomatoes became a substitute for saffron, which was not readily available. Overtime, the dish grew to incorporate three types of proteins: chicken, sausage and seafood.

What flavors inspire you?

Across the nation, regions have been defined by the flavors that have made them famous and literally put them “on the map.” While the flavors listed above have stood the test of time, continuously evolving flavor inspirations keep changing the culinary landscape of today. As a brand that knows delicious flavors can come from just about anywhere, Lay’s is inviting its fans to celebrate regionally inspired flavors as part of its “Do Us A Flavor” contest. From now through March 30, 2015, consumers can submit their ideas for the next great potato chip flavor for a chance to win a $1 million grand prize. Visit www.DoUsAFlavor.com and enter a flavor name, up to three ingredients, a chip style, the city and state that inspired the submission and a brief description or inspiration story for the flavor. Later this summer, four delicious finalist flavors – representing flavorful cities and towns across the U.S. – will be fully developed, brought to store shelves and voted on by America. To learn more and see official contest rules, visit www.DoUsAFlavor.com.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/21192743_web.jpgDid you know cranberries were once called sassamanash - and other fun facts [Infographic]809549010111/24/2014

(BPT) - Cranberries are a popular food item served during the holiday season (and beyond). Did you know these delicious tart berries aren’t always red? And that they bounce? Check out these fun facts and more from the cranberry bog.

]]>3 tips for the best game-day party in the neighborhood808752040412/22/2014

(BPT) - The next “Game Day” is just around the corner, and you and your friends have been talking about purchasing those tickets for weeks. You’ve rescheduled just about everything to make sure you can watch the game uninterrupted. You could spend a lot of money and travel time to get tickets to the game, but you’d be stuck peering through binoculars to see the action, or stuck behind rowdy, loud fans. Instead, you can catch every moment of the game comfortable and warm in front of a large-screen TV.

To watch the game on television, your friends may be thinking about heading out to the local sports bar, but with the constant interruptions and noise from different games – not to mention potentially getting a bad seat – you might miss out on something important.

This makes it all the more ideal to host game night yourself. It’s so much easier to just invite your friends and family over to lounge on your comfortable couches while cheering on the home team. And if you have a television 42-inches wide or larger, chances are good that your friends will take you up on your game-day party offer, according to a “Staygating” survey conducted by LG Electronics USA.

Here are some tips to help you organize your sports buds, get the house ready for company and get ready to watch the game:

* No matter how casual the get-together, the guest list is crucial so that, as host, you can plan food and seating appropriately. So whether the RSVP is through text or e-mail, make sure you know exactly how many friends will be cheering the team on toward victory. Email invites might make it a bit easier to get your starting lineup planned, especially if you plan to invite a large group of friends.

* Quality of food is very important to people who attend sports-viewing parties, so make certain your fans aren’t calling foul on what you serve at home. You have several options. You can tell everyone you’re hosting a potluck party, and ask them to bring the lucky food item that will ensure your team’s victory. You can arrange for catering of pulled pork or cold meat sandwiches. Or you can go all out and whip up some chicken wings in a crock pot to be served with coleslaw and cookies decorated in team colors. No matter the direction you go, be sure to have enough good food to keep your fans full and happy the entire game.

* The best game-watching experience is with a high-definition Smart TV like theLG 65LB6300, which allows your fans to see and call the play better than the athletes, coaches or referees on the field. According to the survey, 90 percent of respondents feel the viewing experience (Big TV, excellent picture quality, no broadcast outages) is important to the sports viewing party. Fans won’t miss a beat with this TV – it has In-Plane Switching (IPS) panel to give all viewers the best seat in the house – the game looks great no matter what angle you’re looking at the TV from.

With these game-day party-planning tips, you might as well put next season’s schedule on your digital calendar now, because no one will want to miss a second of it.

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http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/19762365_web.jpg3 hearty breakfast recipes for everyone in a hurry80975701011/28/2015

(BPT) - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Everyone has heard that saying, but unfortunately, breakfast is also often the most forgotten meal of the day. Instead of enjoying a hearty, nutritious breakfast, many people opt for simple alternatives on the go because they believe creating a well-rounded breakfast will take too long. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

To show you just how easy it can be to create a wonderful breakfast, here are a few recipes that will have you reinvisioning the bagel and hitting your busy morning with a little extra spring in your step.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over moderate heat and whisk in flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for two minutes. Whisk in milk in a stream, until smooth. Simmer, whisking, until thickened, about three minutes and reduced to 1-1/4 cups. Keep warm, covered, off heat. Fill a medium skillet halfway with water and bring to a boil. Break eggs into separate teacups and pour into water. Cover skillet and remove from heat. Let eggs sit for about 4 minutes until whites are set. Place bagels on serving plates and top each with 1/4 of spinach, using a slotted spoon top with a poached egg and 1/4 of sauce. Serve immediately.

Separate and toast Bagel Thins bagel. Place open-faced and top each half with two tablespoons of hummus and 1 tablespoon of low-fat sour cream. Spray nonstick frying pan with cooking oil and put on stovetop under medium heat. Beat three egg whites together in mixing bowl and then pour into heated frying pan. Once eggs are cooked through, place on open-faced English muffin and top with salsa.

Homemade black bean hummus:

Mince all ingredients together in food processor until smooth; refrigerate.

These recipes are quick, easy and can give you just the lift you need to start your day. So give them a try, and to find more great recipe ideas, visit Thomasbreads.com/recipes.

(BPT) - Americans rarely take the time to unplug during the work day. In fact, we spend just short of half the day in front of some type of screen, according to research by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The health benefits of relaxing away from digital technology are well documented, but it still is a challenge for many to find some time for themselves. If you find yourself in this category, consider scheduling a 15 minute break every morning and afternoon. It will be quality me-time, and before you know it, those 15 minutes will become a welcomed break each and every day.

Here are five simple ways you can turn just 15 minutes into an actual break that will help refresh your whole day – and may just make you more productive.

Enjoy tea time: In under 15 minutes, you can brew and enjoy a cup of tea. Choose your favorite ceramic mug, add hot water, and let your Tetley Black and Green tea bag steep for two minutes while you take a breath. No peeking at your screen while your steeping! Tetley Black and Green tea is a smart choice, since it does double duty while you take a break, offering the benefits of green tea with the rich, smooth flavor of black tea. So savor the experience and the tea – and disconnect and focus your energy on yourself until your cup is empty.

Meditation: Meditation is a great way to slow the heart, calm the mind and recharge the batteries. Just 15 minutes of meditation can help you improve your focus and reduce stress, bringing your energy back so you can accomplish everything on your to-do list. Follow along with a guided meditation on YouTube to help get started.

Take a walk: Get yourself out of your home or office for 15 minutes of fresh air. Pack a pair of sneakers and set a daily appointment on your calendar. Go around the block, or pick up the pace a bit and go for the mile. By removing yourself from your working environment, you can help your brain concentrate better when you return.

Play with a pet: Four-legged family members can quickly bring a smile to your face during a 15-minute break for playtime. Even sitting still and scratching Fido or Fluffy behind the ears can help calm you down and lift your spirits. Plus, your pet will certainly reward you with love and affection.

Stretch out the kinks: Sitting still for too long can leave your body achy and sapped for energy. Do some desk exercises to get your blood moving, like rising up to your tiptoes for a full-body stretch. Close your office door and put your phone on do not disturb to get the break you need. A couple of yoga moves are also an option, and can help relieve any neck or back tension that might be distracting you from your work.

If you start scheduling these 15-minute breaks, you'll soon notice they become automatic, and you'll start to look forward to the times of the day when you can pull the plug and enjoy some time to yourself.

(BPT) - The world is in "digital overload." With so many new technologies connecting people, we are losing the importance of true interpersonal interaction. You have hundreds of Facebook "friends" and follow people you've never met on Twitter. You text your best friend daily and FaceTime with your family. But when was the last time you sat down to connect with someone, in person, face-to-face? As the research in this infographic shows, there's still nothing better than sitting down with a loved one over a cup of coffee.

(BPT) - Forget Valentine’s Day. This February, it’s all about Galentine’s Day. According to an independent survey conducted by the Skinny Cow brand, 62 percent of women have mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day - but 74 percent think there should be a separate holiday just for celebrating friendships. That’s why, on February 13, Skinny Cow is encouraging women everywhere to celebrate Galentine’s Day and honor the other true love in their lives - their best girlfriends.

To encourage women to take a moment to honor these very important relationships, Skinny Cow has released data shedding light on the bonds between female friends.

]]>A great reason to warm up to frozen meals [Infographic]809479010111/13/2014

(BPT) - The next time you reach for a meager meal replacement bar, freeze! Research shows a single-serve frozen meal may be more satisfying.

]]>5 simple steps to scoring delicious, stress-free game day fare80951605081/27/2015

(BPT) - On game days, sports fans love to gather around the TV with family and friends, while treating themselves to fun foods and snacks. But hosting a gathering can keep you cooking in the kitchen when you’d rather be in on the action. Here’s an easy guide for creating delicious foods that will score big on flavor, while ensuring a stress-free experience for everyone involved - including you.

* Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Keep your menu simple, with no more than two items that require cooking in the oven to avoid holdups and concerns about getting it all done on time. Include room temperature, refrigerated and slow-cooker dishes that you can prepare ahead of time and not worry about.

* Fresh and refresh: serving platter pointers. Self-serve foods are always a hit, but a platter of fresh veggies and other items can look picked over, wilted and worn out by mid-game. Keep extra helpings in reserve so you can refresh the platters periodically. Better yet, make two platters: one to serve at the beginning of the game, and another to keep in the fridge to exchange mid-game.

* Mix flavors, textures and colors. To make any menu more interesting, choose a mix of contrasting items including creamy versus crunchy, spicy versus mild, and multicolored versus all one color. People feast with their eyes as well as their mouths, so appeal to both. For instance, serve spicy chicken wings with cool flavored dips, add color with lots of fresh fruits and veggies, and contrast melted cheese dishes with crispy breads and crackers.

* Kick up excitement with flavored cheeses. A plate of flavored cheeses is an easy choice for simple get-togethers as well as large parties, and there are many varieties to please adventurous and timid eaters alike. For example, the Arla Dofino brand of cheese offers buttery, creamy Havarti cheese in flavors such as dill, jalapeno and spicy Chili Loco. Its Gouda varieties include smoked cracked peppercorn, chipotle and chili lime, which are unique takes on rich, slightly sweet Gouda cheese. Create a simple cheese plate using chunks of a variety of naturally delicious cheeses, and serve with fresh fruit and nuts.

Fire up the crowd with the perfect game day recipe.

Chili is a crowd pleaser on game days, but this easy version is made with prepared chili and topped with a Havarti crust that will have everyone cheering about the food as well as the game. If you wish, make or buy chili in advance and keep it warm in a slow cooker, then at game time, divvy it into small ovenproof bowls, top with the simple cheesy crust mixture and pop it in the oven for 15 minutes. The final score: flavor 10, stress 0.

Firehouse Chili with Cornbread and Havarti Crust

Makes 4 servings as a main course or 12 servings as an appetizer

Ingredients:

6 cups prepared chili from the deli section in your local grocery store

1 cup shredded Arla Dofino Creamy Havarti

2 cups cornbread crumbs

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 seeded and minced jalapeno

1 tablespoon fresh lime zest

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Heat the chili and divide between four oven-safe servings bowls, set aside.

Combine the shredded Havarti with cornbread crumbs, cilantro, jalapeno and lime zest. Top the chili with the cornbread mixture and place in the oven until cheese melts and cornbread browns, about 15 minutes. Remove and serve right away.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/20934866_web.jpgFive small steps to green the big game80976401011/20/2015

(BPT) - The big game is just around the corner, and it’s an exciting time to plan and attend parties, gather with friends and enjoy the most-watched television event of the year. But did you know that the average big game party with 30 guests can create up to 80 pounds of waste? While the players on the field are putting points on the scoreboard, you can also score big at home ... with the environment. Follow these easy eco tips from Unilever Project Sunlight, an initiative to encourage people live more sustainability and learn how you can be a game changer for this year’s big game.

* Stop the flow of water. When getting all primped and proper for the big game, skip the hair wash and freshen up your locks with Suave Dry Shampoo to conserve water. If you need to wash that hair, try Dove which is made with Type 2 plastic and can be recycled through many curbside programs.

* Travel smart. If you’re hosting a party, invite your guests to carpool. Pair friends before the party and encourage them to share a car ride. Not only can that reduce the CO2 emissions related to their travel, it’s also a great way to break the ice.

* Cut out the delivery. An estimated 4.4 million pizzas will be ordered for the big game ... and most of those pizza boxes can’t be recycled. The leftover oil on the cardboard can contaminate an entire batch of recyclable items. This year, skip delivery and create a pizza bar with this recipe for Chipotle Chicken Pizza using Knorr Chipotle MiniCube seasoning. You can reduce pizza-box waste and CO2 car emissions by letting the delivery guy stay put.

* Snack smart. Each year Americans throw away enough plastic cups, forks and spoons to circle the globe 300 times – these items tend to be frequent staples at game day parties. Serve up game time snacks like Hellmann’s Disappearing Buffalo Chicken Dip using your own kitchenware instead of paper or plastic plates – this can help save energy and reduce waste.

* Clean smart. More than 70 million tons of paper are wasted each year in the United States, so don’t add to it. When the final whistle blows and it’s time to clean up, find a reusable cloth instead of paper options for a long-term, eco-friendly solution.

Your enjoyment of the big game and your concern for the environment don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Making just a few small changes to how you celebrate game day can have a big impact on the environment over time. To get prepped for your game day celebration, go to greenthegame.com to test your eco savvy and get more eco-friendly tips for enjoying the big game.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/21426840_web.jpg5 health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime 808253485012/21/2014

(BPT) - Improving your health and wellness can seem like a daunting task, especially if you know you have some bad health habits to break. But, several improvements you can make today can result in tremendous health benefits.

Here are five steps you can take today that can have a positive impact on your overall health and wellness.

Stop smoking

Everyone knows smoking is bad for you. In fact, people who smoke have by far the greatest risk of lung cancer - the number one cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. - and increased risk of a cardiac event. But, many people don’t realize that changes in the lungs caused by smoking can actually improve over time once a smoker quits.

“Even if you’ve smoked for many years, you can reduce your lung cancer risks just by quitting,” says Howard. “And this isn’t just about your own health. Smoking puts the ones you love at risk, because even second-hand smoke can cause cancer. So, quitting is a win-win for you and those you love.”

Howard says people who want to quit smoking do better when they set a target date to quit. She also advises working with your primary health care provider who can actually individualize a stop-smoking plan for you. And, Howard says getting support from others is a crucial part of the battle.

Increase your water intake

Sixty percent of your body weight is water. Your body depends on water to carry nutrients to cells and to flush toxins out of vital organs, so getting the right amount of fluids each day is crucial.

Howard says men should drink 3 liters, or 13 cups, per day. For women, the recommendation is 2.2 liters, or 9 cups, per day. If that recommendation seems tough to follow, Howard says to divide it up throughout the day.

“Make sure you have water with every meal and also drink water at least once between each meal,” she suggests. “That divides up your fluid intake and can make the amount seem less daunting.”

And, Howard says you don’t have to stick to water. Milk, coffee, and other drinks that contain a lot of water and not a lot of calories count towards your daily fluid intake.

Exercise

“Exercise reduces your risk for chronic disease, improves balance and coordination and helps with weight loss,” Howard says. “Exercise is a key part of living a healthy life.”

Howard says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, or 90 minutes of vigorous exercise a week, for adults.

“That sounds like a lot,” Howard acknowledges. “But, if you break it into 15-or-20-minute daily workouts it’s much easier to fit into your schedule. You don’t have to spend hours at a time in the gym to reap the benefits.”

Howard says recent studies have shown that even short bursts of exercise can be helpful.

Adopt the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts and fish. The results of numerous studies show long-term health benefits to adopting the diet.

“This is a diet filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories,” Howard explains. “This diet has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer when adhered to long-term. Weight loss and improvement in cholesterol can be seen after just a few months.”

Have your cholesterol checked

You might be surprised to learn that you should begin having your cholesterol monitored by a doctor at age 20. But since coronary artery disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., it’s a recommendation you should take seriously.

“There is no reason to avoid having your cholesterol checked,” Howard says. “If your cholesterol levels aren’t where they should be, you can change them.”

Howard says levels that are too high can be controlled by diet, quitting smoking, exercise, and even prescription medication.

“There are so many things we can do to improve not only the length of our life, but the quality of those years,” Howard encourages. “Don’t wait. Commit today to making a few small changes, and see how they improve your health over time.”

(BPT) - When the holiday lights fade for another year, the excitement really begins with the arrival of big games and tournaments in top winter sports like football, basketball and hockey. If you’ll be playing game-day host for your team of fans, you know the flavors of the food you serve are as important as the clarity of your flat-screen TV.

In fact, studies show that many football fans say they associate a special food or snack with their favorite team. To be a great game-day host, it’s important to serve the snacks and foods your guests will love. At the same time, you want to put your culinary stamp on the occasion.

Here are three simple ways to score big by adding some flare to traditional game-day fare:

1. Stay in the safe zone with some standby dishes and toss in some new options.

Not every play of your game-day meal needs to be a scoring pass. Try serving some reliable favorites – like your guests’ favorite buffalo hot wings – along with appetizers or desserts they may not have tried before. You can also ensure success with every course by serving a standby beside something new. By giving guests the option to stick with favorites or taste something new, you can fill their stomachs and let them focus on the game at the same time.

2.Mix up beverage excitement with some game-day drinks.

The beverage table can often be overlooked, yet it is a great spot to add some excitement. Try creating your own game day drink. It can be as easy as renaming your favorite beverage with fun, sports-themed names like “touchdown tea” or “coach’s cooler.” Round out your drinks station by offering cups or straws in your favorite team’s colors.

3. Slap some sophistication on popular game-day grub.

Some dishes simply must be on the menu for any game-day celebration: wings, sliders, chips and dip and pizza. A touch of sophistication can elevate these staples to something fresh and exciting. Try glazing wings with a new flavor, such as soy-ginger or chili lime. Mix things up with a variety of veggie chips (instead of just potato) and gourmet dips like crab and artichoke. Or upgrade everyone’s favorite handheld and replace the ground beef in your sliders with lean turkey.

Set oven control to broil. Spray 15x10x1?inch pan with Crisco(R) Original No?Stick Cooking Spray. Place tomatillos in pan and toss with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Broil 3-4 inches from heat for 9-12 minutes, turning once, or until tender and starting to brown.

Heat oven to 400 F. Brush large cookie sheet with 1 tablespoon of the oil.

Heat oven to 400 F. Separate dough into 10 biscuits and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush tops of biscuits with one teaspoon of the oil. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and press in lightly. Bake eight to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

Meanwhile, microwave frozen spinach as directed on box for 3 to 4 minutes to thaw. Drain well and squeeze dry with paper towels. In large bowl, gently mix spinach, ground turkey, 2 tablespoons of the yogurt, the garlic powder, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper just until combined. Shape mixture into 10 (3-inch) patties.

(BPT) - The holidays are here and parties are in full swing. At this time of year, there can be a lot of pressure to throw memorable parties that will keep people talking into the new year. Many people forget that the real cheer in holiday entertaining is spending time with family and friends.

In fact, 70 percent of people find the best part of entertaining – and the real reason they want to entertain – is spending quality time with loved ones, according to a nationwide Omnibus survey conducted in November of 2014.

So if you’re planning an event this year, prevent getting your tinsel in a tangle by keeping these simple tips in mind.

* DIY is A-OK. Want to get everyone in the spirit but your holiday decorations are from the land of misfit toys? Use everyday items you find in your home for a quick, easy and inexpensive way to decorate your table. Fill a vase with fruits, ornaments or pinecones to liven up your centerpiece. Put the finishing touch on your table by using old wine corks as inexpensive place card holders.

* Simple food is good food. Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with guests. According to the survey, more than half of consumers consider a tortilla chips and dip platter a party must-have. Garden of Eatin'(R) Blues corn tortilla chips are made with just three non-GMO ingredients including organic blue corn. They can be paired with a simple seasonal dip made from fresh ingredients. It’s a fast, easy and delicious way to make a great dish for any holiday party. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze. Visit the Garden of Eatin'(R) Facebook page for more tips and share how you’re keeping the holidays simple.

* Less stress, more fun. The festive parties don’t always need to be the most extravagant. Over half of survey respondents say that casual, laid-back parties are the best when entertaining. You don’t have to make your list and check it twice to spread good cheer. Instead of holding a gift exchange, try engaging your guests in a photo and story exchange by asking them to share their favorite memory from the past year. Bonus points if you can share a time when someone else in the room made your day.

This holiday season, spend some time with loved ones, and don’t stress the mess. Instead, keep party planning simple with easy dishes and decorations.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/21029245_web.jpg4 small diet changes that can make a big difference808607455512/3/2014

(BPT) - The new year is a great time to start fresh. Many people commit to exercise more, stress less or make healthier food choices. Incorporating small, sustainable changes, versus dramatic, large-scale lifestyle shifts, can make it much easier to stick to your resolutions. This year, instead of overhauling your entire diet, resolve to improve your health with simple tweaks to your everyday meal and snacking routine.

Eat the rainbow

Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is an effortless way to boost your intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Try to eat one produce item from each color in the rainbow every day. For example, have blueberries in your breakfast oatmeal, a red apple for a snack, a spinach and radicchio salad with yellow peppers for lunch and sweet potatoes as part of dinner. You could also pack red bell peppers and carrots with creamy garlic hummus or a banana for a convenient pick-me-up between meals.

Adopt a smoothie regimen

Another easy way to consume more fruits and vegetables - as well as other healthy ingredients like nut and soy milk, yogurt, chia or flax seeds - is to start your day with a nutrient-packed smoothie. Smoothies can be a convenient, on-the-go, energy-boosting breakfast for adults and kids alike. Create personalized flavor combinations for every member of the family with the new Vitamix S30, which features a portable blend-and-go container that becomes an instant travel cup. If you have a sweet tooth, try a red cherry smoothie, bursting with the flavors of cherry, strawberry and grapes. Or, blend in antioxidant-rich kale or other dark leafy greens for an extra serving of vegetables.

Choose healthy fats

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting most of the fat in your diet from unsaturated fats, which can be found in foods such as fish, nuts, seeds and certain types of oils. Monounsaturated fats, from sunflower oil, canola oil and avocado, and polyunsaturated fats, like soybean oil, walnuts and flax seed, are sometimes called “good fats” because they are heart-healthy and can help lower cholesterol. Add these healthy fats into your meals: use avocado to cool spicy entrees; top salads with walnuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds for an extra crunch; and cook with canola or olive oil. Fats are essential for your body to function properly, so choose ones that taste great and provide energy and nutrients.

Make smart substitutions

Another simple way to change your diet is to sub in healthier options. There are many ways to adapt recipes that will increase their nutritional content without sacrificing taste. Replace the typical carbohydrates with vegetables: try crispy, baked zucchini sticks in place of french fries or spaghetti squash instead of traditional pasta. Secretly swap ingredients for more wholesome alternatives in your favorite recipes: substitute Greek yogurt in place of full-fat sour cream in dips and sauces or make a cauliflower-based pizza crust, instead of a flour one, for a more nutritious version of a favorite comfort food. With the right preparation and seasonings, your family will never notice the difference.

When it comes to incorporating changes into your lifestyle, it’s important to start slowly and make realistic choices. Don’t be discouraged if you have minor setbacks. With just a few modifications to your daily meals, you can achieve better health in the new year.

Place all ingredients into the Vitamix S30 40-ounce container in the order listed and secure lid. Turn the dial to 1 and slowly increase speed to 10. Blend for 35 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/21047233_web.jpgSouth Texas, the hidden gem of the Lone Star State80978601011/28/2015

(BPT) - For unexpected adventures, vibrant culture and a sub-tropical climate year-round, look no further than the Rio Grande Valley region of the Lone Star State. South Texas’ warm temperature give travelers the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year and makes it the ideal destination for vacations or longer stays during the winter months. A trip to the region, which includes McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville and the beaches of South Padre Island, will show visitors there’s much more to South Texas than amazing weather. From its unique music heritage to its flavorful culinary scene, read on to learn why a trip to South Texas should be on every travelers list.

In the Rio Grande Valley region, rich culture and history lend a hand in developing a one-of-a-kind arts scene. For starters, the Rio Grande Valley is the cradle of Conjunto music, boasting several festivals throughout the year. Conjunto music began on the farms and ranches of South Texas in the late 19th century and is similar to blues or country, but infused with German and Mexican sounds. As time progressed, the music evolved and became known as Tejano, and is influenced by rock, R&B and other genres. The Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum in San Benito will leave visitors immersed in the history of Conjunto music. Aside from the music scene, the Rio Grande Valley region is home to a variety of fine arts, including the International Museum of Art and Science in McAllen, which houses the largest collection of Mexican crafts in the country. These local, handcrafted art and gifts are available for purchase at the annual McAllen Mexican Artisan Expo, where more than 80 artisans feature colorful pottery, textiles, trinkets, paintings, candies, salsas, hats, toys, candles and more. Visitors to the region will also enjoy performances from the Rio Grande Valley Ballet and the Valley Symphony Orchestra.

South Texas visitors will find that the Rio Grande Valley is home to flavorful cuisine and a rich agricultural area that is unlike any other region in the state. The area thrives through agribusiness and is the largest region in the state for citrus production, including the region’s famous Ruby Red grapefruit. Authentic Tex-Mex food is found in over 200 restaurants in the region, and some would argue the Rio Grande Valley is home to the most authentic traditional Tex-Mex in the state. In South Texas, the molcajete reigns supreme to the blender for preparing traditional Mexican spices including cumin, chile peppers and garlic. Culinary tourism is emerging as a popular travel trend for those interested in food and culture, and all visitors are encouraged to taste a number of the regions favorite dishes such as barbacoa, enchiladas, tamales, fajitas and chiles rellenos to experience the region’s traditional bold flavors.

The warm climate of the Rio Grande Valley region makes it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts year round. Anglers will enjoy casting their rod at Falcon Lake, the number one bass lake in the country. From legendary largemouth bass to catfish, it is rare to leave Falcon Lake empty-handed. Birding is another popular activity in the region, as South Texas is the most distinctive avi-fauna area in the contiguous United States. With nine unique locations of the World Birding Center spanning from Mission to Edinburg to South Padre Island, birders will enjoy the challenge and the thrill of spotting the more than 500 bird species in the area while taking part in wilderness walks, float trips and hands-on, state-of-the-art educational exhibits. The Rio Grande Valley is also home to the National Butterfly Center, the only butterfly park in the country boasting over 300 different butterfly species.

South Texas loves its winter visitors. In fact, long-term visitors escaping the frigid winter temperatures of the north receive the honorary title of ‘Winter Texans’ and are celebrated at the annual Winter Texan Appreciation Fiesta in Harlingen. The fiesta is a truly unique experience celebrating the culture of the region and includes live music, Mexican artisan crafts, salsa dancing lessons, mariachi performances and a classic car show. Throughout the winter months, Winter Texans will find a variety of events and activities to enjoy across the region, including golfing on over 15 scenic courses within a 50-mile radius, with two along the banks of the Rio Grande River. Whether Winter Texans drive down in their own RVs or take advantage of the special condominium rates extended to long-term visitors throughout the winter, they are sure to enjoy spending the coldest months of the year in a warm climate surrounded by warm and welcoming locals.

When people think of Texas they don’t always think of relaxing beachside with their toes in the sand, but the Rio Grande Valley region’s beach getaway, South Padre Island, is home to 34 miles of uninterrupted beaches. The perfect destination for a family vacation, extended Winter Texan trip or getaway with friends, South Padre Island offers fun beach activities such as kayaking, parasailing, wind boarding, surfing and deep sea fishing excursions. The Island’s unique eco-system features a wide variety of wildlife including bottlenose dolphins. Visitors that want to get up close and personal with the majestic creatures can do so through a variety of local businesses that provide excursions to see them in their natural habitat. For the kiddos, South Padre Island, known to many as the Sand Castle Capital of the World, hosts Sandcastle Days each October in which sand sculpting masters from all over the world compete to create the most unique sand masterpiece. This free public event truly is bigger than life! Like any other South Texas location, South Padre Island welcomes Winter Texans. In late January, Winter Texans are invited to trade frigid temperatures, winter coats and toboggans for sunshine, an ocean breeze and flip-flops at South Padre Island’s Winter Texan Music Fest, where eight bands play throughout the day accompanied by an endless supply of fresh, Texas Gulf seafood. No matter the season, South Padre has an endless amount of activities to entertain visitors of all ages.

Whether visitors are seeking outdoor activities, flavorful cuisine, arts and culture or a relaxing beach vacation, they are sure to find it in South Texas where warm weather and exciting adventures await. To explore the many great travel experiences in Texas, visit www.traveltex.com and find us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

(BPT) - Your social calendar is packed to the brim with dinner parties and family activities. Whether you are hosting or attending as a guest, providing something delectable will always be a welcome addition to the celebration. Loved around the world, a scrumptious cheese platter is guaranteed to tempt everyone’s palate and be the perfect conversation starter.

Creating a delicious and interesting cheese platter is easier than you think if you make use of a few tips and tricks trusted by expert chefs. These four ideas will ensure your platter not only embodies the perfect array of cheeses but also showcases your personal taste and style.

The right varieties and correct amountsConfused about how many varieties of cheese to buy? And how much is needed for your size gathering? The goal is to give people a nice selection of cheeses to sample without overwhelming them; three to five cheeses typically will do the trick. A simple way to ensure a nice spread is to make selections based on the type of milk used to create the cheeses. For example, cow, sheep and goat’s milk all create very different kinds of cheeses, and knowing about these differences can help you make better choices when shopping. Prepare 4-6 ounces per person if cheese is the main food, and serve more or less depending on the time of day, whether other foods are served and the type of celebration. When in doubt, reference this handy online cheese calculator at www.dcicheeseco.com/party.

Add an aged-cheddar flight Do you love cheddar? You’re not alone, as it’s one of the most universally enjoyed cheese varieties. That’s why a flight of different cheddar cheeses is sure to capture your guests’ attention while satisfying their hunger pangs. Try selecting three different cheddars for people to taste – odd numbers always present well on a plate. Black Creek’s premium cheddar cheeses made in Wisconsin are aged for nine months, two years or even three years, and they feature a rich, sharp flavor. Pre-cut the cheese into cubes and place the pieces on the platter, or you can allow guests to cut their own. Educate guests by adorning each cheese with a candle featuring the number of years that the cheese is aged.

Create a worldly theme Want a crowd-pleasing theme for your cheese plate? Create a “Tour of Europe” platter that will delight taste buds while letting guests try different cheese styles. Start with mild flavors, including French cheeses like brie and camembert that offer a soft texture. Next, guests can visit Italy when they sample Stella Italian-style cheeses like full-flavored parmesan or rich, semi-sweet asiago. Finish with flavorful cheeses from Holland and Denmark, like extra-aged Gouda or nutty Edam. Add flags to your cheese offerings denoting each one’s nationality for the perfect finishing touch.

Accompaniments, preparation and presentation The sky is the limit when it comes to serving vessels. Go traditional with a wood cutting board or get creative by using marble tile or colorful vintage glass platters. Arrange cheeses artfully on the platter about an hour before guests arrive, as room-temperature cheese maximizes each variety’s flavor. Finally, remember no plate is complete without a selection of garnishes like crackers, bread, fresh or dried fruit, nuts, olives and meats. Then sit back and watch as guests munch away and strike up conversation.

(BPT) - Because pets are such beloved members of the family, it isn’t a surprise that pet parents want what is right for the health of their furry friends. In fact, nearly four out of five pet owners say they choose a pet food based on how nutritious or how healthy they think it will be for their pet, while only 10 percent say they make a selection based on how their pets may like the taste, according to the Buying & Choosing Pet Food survey recently conducted by PetMD and Pet360.

While the survey found that 60 percent of respondents said they always consider the label when making a pet food purchase, 34 percent of pet parents agreed that it is “virtually impossible to determine the quality of pet food ingredients simply by reading the information on the package or ingredient label.” It might surprise pet owners that what’s on the pet food container doesn’t necessarily tell them how nutritious the food is.

“Pet food labels aren’t always straightforward in terms of helping pet parents determine the quality of the ingredients and the nutrition found in a specific food,” says Dr. Ellen Lowery, director of U.S. Veterinary and Professional Affairs at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “What is listed on the label is often different from what a pet parent imagines it to be, and it can be difficult to determine the true quality of the ingredients."

Dr. Lowery has several tips to help pet parents find the right food for their pets.

* Discuss your pet’s nutritional needs with your veterinarian.

* Review the brand’s reputation. Many start-up brands don’t have veterinary nutritionists on staff, nor do they have the facilities to test the nutritional quality of the food they make, such as through feeding trials with real pets. Established and trusted premium pet food brands like Hill’s Pet Nutrition have robust quality-assurance programs in place to ensure the quality and safety of the foods your pet consumes.

* Pay attention to the regulatory statement. If the pet food brand bag includes a statement containing the initials AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), you know that the food has been tested against this organization’s measures to contain at least the minimum nutrients required for that statement to be included on the packaging. This statement simply certifies that the product contains that nutritional element – it doesn’t certify that the element is healthy for your pet, or that it will help Fido or Fluffy live a healthier life.

* Know who makes the food. Many pet parents assume a brand makes the food it sells but this is often not the case. Dr. Lowery recommends pet parents look for a “manufactured by” listing on the product to know if the brand made the food or is just selling it.

“I think it’s best to trust a company that makes its food under the watchful eyes of its own employees to make sure the food meets the company’s quality standards, rather than trusting the safety procedures of an unknown manufacturer,” she says.

* Is there a phone number to call? Brand companies should value your feedback, especially when it comes to feeding a beloved pet. Look for a toll-free consumer phone number on the packaging that you can easily call if you have questions or need additional information.

Good food will keep your dog’s tail happily wagging and your cat content and purring. Use these tips from Dr. Lowery to know what makes a premium, high-quality pet food, so you know that your pawed friends are getting the best food you can give them.

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http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/19098380_web.jpgEasy tips to help beat calorie-overload this year 809441010112/29/2014

(BPT) - Did you make a New Year's resolution to eat better this year? Or are you thinking you might need to make some lifestyle changes to get ready for the summer swimsuit season? Although it may seem like a daunting task, getting started on a weight management plan can be easy. A few simple expert tips can help you watch your calories so you can accomplish your healthy living goals.

From rich and calorie-filled menu items to family celebrations, it’s easy for healthy eating habits to get off-track this time of year. This can be especially true following the holiday season which is filled with parties and holiday cookies. In fact, 49.2 percent of respondents in a recent survey from Sweet’N Low said they lost control of their usual eating habits during the festive holiday season.

If you’re looking for easy ways to skip some calories without skimping on the fun, Dr. Keri Peterson, a New York City-based practicing physician and medical expert who appears regularly on the Today Show, CNN and Good Morning America, offers these simple suggestions to help manage your calories:

Watch your drinks – Do you know that some drinks contain as much as one-third of a dieter’s recommended daily caloric intake? Sugary, indulgent drinks may be in season but they are typically full of hidden calories. To get your sweet fix, replace the sugar in all your favorite drinks with a zero-calorie sweetener, such as Sweet’N Low. Your drink will be as sweet as you like it, but with fewer calories.

Bring a healthy dish to parties – If you’re bringing a dish to a party, impress your friends with something that’s both delicious and lower in calories. When researching options, look for appetizer and dessert recipes that are “under 100 calories” so that you and your friends can skip the calorie-overload and instead, focus on enjoying the festivities.

Take a walk – Don’t let the chilly temperatures of winter or the rains of spring put you in an exercise slump. If you can’t fit time for the gym into your schedule, take a quick walk around the block at lunch, park a little farther from the office or shopping mall entrance or wake up earlier and take a brisk walk before you conquer the day. You can burn about 150 calories during a 30-minute walk. As an added plus, exercise doesn’t just help you stick to your diet; it may also put you in a better mood.

Don’t sacrifice all the treats you love – Is drinking a vanilla cappuccino on your way to work your favorite way to start the day? If you are watching your calories, be mindful that many popular coffee shops sweeten those drinks with high-calorie sugar or syrups. For example, a typical, 1-ounce serving of syrup has 12 grams (3 teaspoons) of sugar! On the other hand, completely abstaining from the treats you love can sidetrack the most faithful of dieters. Rather than go unsatisfied, try reducing or cutting out the added sugar in your drinks by sweetening with a zero-calorie sweetener, instead. One great option is Sweet’N Low in the little pink packet. If you are making your own cappuccinos at home, try a lower-calorie Skinny Vanilla Cappuccino recipe at only 96 calories per serving. Another great option is a warm, soothingly-cool Thin-Minty Mochaccino (recipe below). With only 70 calories per serving it is one of Dr. Peterson’s favorites. For more, lower-calorie recipe ideas, health tips or information to help you keep your diet on-track, visit www.sweetnlow.com.

No matter what, it’s important to live and maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle that works for you all year long. For many people, just taking the first step toward healthier habits can be the hardest part.

“Starting small is OK, because even small steps are steps in the right direction,” Dr. Peterson advises. “Simply replacing the sugar in your daily coffee with a zero-calorie sweetener is an easy way to cut some calories from your usual diet and it can get you thinking about other ways to improve your health.”

(BPT) - The holidays are here and that means it’s the season for parties, events and get-togethers. Put your best dish forward with seasonally inspired recipes guaranteed to tempt your guests’ taste buds.

Packed with flavors that embody the hearty and warm tastes of the season, Butternut Squash Tart with Fried Sage, Prosciutto and Pecorino Cheese is easy to make and easy for guests to enjoy. Perfectly versatile, this tart is easily served as a small bite or served as a light entree.

Complete the dish with Frei Brothers Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay for the perfect pairing. The Chardonnay’s flavors of green apple, orange zest and buttery toast complement the golden puff pastry, sweet butternut squash and the salty prosciutto, making for an elegant pairing that is sure to please.

Crafted in California’s most renowned cool-climate region for Chardonnay, the Russian River Valley, and grown using earth-friendly practices, Frei Brother’s Reserve Chardonnay is an excellent choice to have on hand for this season’s holiday gatherings. To learn more about Frei Brothers Reserve, wine pairings, and more visit www.Facebook.com/FreiBrothersReserve.

Butternut Squash Tart with Fried Sage, Prosciutto and Pecorino Cheese

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

3 slices prosciutto, thinly sliced

1 butternut squash (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)

1 sheet puff pastry

1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, beaten

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

10 sage leaves

Shaved pecorino cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place prosciutto onto baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until crispy. Set aside until needed. Reduce oven temperature to 375 F.

Microwave the whole butternut squash for 3 minutes. This will not only make the squash easier to peel and slice but aids in pre-cooking. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the squash. With a knife, slice the neck of the squash into 1/8-inch thick rounds. You will need 18 slices.

Roll the thawed but cold puff pastry into a 12-inch square and transfer to a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Using a pastry brush, brush the puff pastry with the egg wash. Arrange butternut squash slices in an overlapping pattern on top of the pastry leaving a 1-inch border on all sides; season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake for 40 minutes until puff pastry is golden.

While the tart is baking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Working with five leaves at a time, place the sage leaves in the hot oil and fry for 20 seconds until leaves are bright green and crisp but do not turn brown. Place on a paper towel to drain.

Once the tart is finished, top with crumbled prosciutto slices, shaved pecorino cheese, and fried sage. Drizzle lightly with additional olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Slice and serve with Frei Brothers Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/20903667_web.jpgNow's the time for peppermint [Infographic]809382010111/12/2014

(BPT) - Few flavors define a season like peppermint and the holidays. In the following infographic you’ll see just how popular peppermint is during this season and just how people like to enjoy it. So take a look, to see how you might incorporate peppermint into your holiday traditions.

(BPT) - Anyone who grew up in the latter part of the 20th century almost certainly heard their mom refer to fish as “brain food.” Maybe you even scoffed because – let’s face it – what could mom possibly know about science and nutrition? Fast forward to 2014, and scientific research now supports what mom knew all along: eating seafood is good for you. No need to eat crow, though. Eat seafood instead, and thank your mother for already knowing these five not-so-surprising facts about seafood:

1. It’s not just brain food, it’s the most important food for overall health

The lead author of a Harvard study on the benefits of seafood said it was probably “the single most important food one can consume for good health.” That study found that diets rich in seafood and omega-3s reduce the risk of heart disease and boost vision and brain development in kids and adults.

2. Variety really is the spice of life

Spice up your diet with a variety of tasty, healthy seafood options to enjoy, from fresh fish to canned tuna, salmon and sardines. Incorporating different types of seafood in your diet provides important nutrients and can stave off culinary boredom. Even better news – seafood is naturally low in calories, high in protein and a great source of omega-3s.

3. Want brainy kids? Eat seafood while pregnant

Eating seafood is important to health throughout life, including while we’re in the womb. Studies indicate that pregnant women who eat at least three to four servings (about 9 ounces) of seafood per week provide the greatest benefit to the IQ of their unborn children. Nursing moms can also pass the benefits of seafood on to their babies.

4. It’s not too late to build kids’ brain power

A 2014 FDA report on the net effects of consuming fish shows that 95 percent of children have not reached their fullest IQ potential because their moms did not consume enough seafood during pregnancy. But it’s never too late to introduce kids to the benefits of seafood. Kid-friendly seafood options like tuna sandwiches and fish tacos are great ways to foster children’s love of seafood while reaping all the health benefits. In fact, the FDA says everyone should eat at least two to three seafood meals per week (8 to 12 ounces).

5. There are plenty of fish in the sea, so try them all!

Tuna casserole or salmon stir fry, clam chowder or shrimp scampi – with so many varieties of seafood and so many ways to prepare it, it’s possible for virtually everyone to find something they’ll love. Reel your family in with flavor, incorporating your favorite fish into delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, dips, wraps and more! Check out BumbleBee.com for a variety of great recipes.

]]>Millions of Americans would give up Facebook for Christmas sweets [Infographic]809174040512/5/2014

(BPT) - The holidays are full of decadent sweets and gourmet desserts, and Americans wouldn’t have it any other way. This infographic explores that love of sweets and what most people would part with (or protect) to ensure they get the sweets they crave this season.

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Ketchup to dessert, sriracha poised to be 2015's 'go-to' flavor80975401012/10/2015

(BPT) - Favored flavors can come and go like fashion trends, but every now and then a taste comes along that's so versatile and memorable, it earns a lasting place in culinary tradition. With its zest and spice, sriracha is poised to secure its status as a top flavor for 2015 and beyond.

The sizzling flavor, which traces its roots to a classic Thai hot sauce of the same name, has been on the American culinary scene for about two decades. Between 2008 and 2012, the use of sriracha on restaurant menus increased by 153 percent, making it the fastest-growing flavor, according to Technomic's Flavor Consumer Trend Report. You can incorporate this powerful taste into your home menus this spring and summer with a few tips and tricks.

The year's hot condiment

While the original sriracha sauce was often incorporated into dishes as an ingredient, contemporary variations have turned it into a versatile condiment. Iconic American ketchup maker Heinz has recently launched Heinz Tomato Ketchup Blended with Sriracha Flavor. The company known for its line of flavored ketchups and the beloved original now offers the sriracha-flavored condiment in the familiar upside-down 14-ounce squeeze bottle. The flavored ketchup makes it easy to enjoy great sriracha flavor on dishes from burgers, hot dogs and French fries to eggs and chicken!

Great for every course

Few flavors or ingredients can measure up to use in virtually every course, but sriracha certainly can. It's an adaptable ingredient for everything from hors d'oeuvres and appetizers to main courses, side dishes and even desserts. It adds a distinctive zing to any dish and works with sweet flavors as well as it does with savory or spicy profiles.

Straight sriracha - or the new offering from Heinz - makes a great dipping sauce for a variety of starters, including raw veggies. Blend it with hummus or chicken dip for an exciting variation on favorite dips. Added to deviled eggs, sriracha adds subtle spice and color. For main dishes, sriracha works well with virtually any kind of meat, poultry or seafood. Incorporated into brine, it imparts flavor and moisture to turkey, and enriches the flavor of beef skewers when used as a marinade.

Sriracha can even elevate breakfast - and not just as a topping for scrambled eggs. It's easy to find recipes online that incorporate sriracha for everything from muffins to oatmeal. And when used in desserts, the heat of sriracha is the perfect foil for sweet ingredients, creating a multi-layered depth of flavors.

Restaurant creativity

Convinced you want to explore sriracha but unsure of your creative skills? Draw inspiration from restaurants across the country that have been offering inventive presentations of sriracha for years. From fast-food chains and pizza franchises to fine-dining establishments, restaurateurs have embraced sriracha. Some of the most eye-catching and taste-bud stimulating offerings include:

* Macaroni and cheese

* Pizza crust

* Vinaigrette for watermelon salad

* Brownies

For an easy way to incorporate sriracha into your menu, try this recipe for a Sriracha Turkey Sausage Breakfast Sandwich from Heinz:

Ingredients:

12 each ciabatta rolls, toasted

12 each turkey sausage patties, 2 ounces, cooked, hot

4 cups caramelized onions, hot

2 each fresh avocadoes, 12 wedge cuts per avocado

12 each fried eggs, hot

6 ounces aged white cheddar cheese, 1/2-ounce slices

3/4 cup Heinz Tomato Ketchup Blended with Sriracha Flavor

Directions:

To assemble, layer the following atop each toasted ciabatta roll heel:

1 each turkey sausage patty

1/4 cup caramelized onions

2 wedges avocado

1 each fried egg

1 slice cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon Heinz Tomato Ketchup Blended with Sriracha Flavor

1 each toasted ciabatta roll top

Serve immediately.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/21408308_web.jpgExpert tips to curb food cravings during times of stress808253355011/5/2014

(BPT) - Do you reach for comfort foods or junk food when you’re stressed? You know you shouldn't, but you probably feel you need something to help you during that intense period. With a few tips from culinary experts, you can cut the cravings and find healthy ways to manage nutrition during stressful times.

If traveling, you may often search for a familiar restaurant or fast food place. It's easier to reach for food that you know because it provides a level of comfort to balance out the uncomfortable moments of stress, Smith-Ransome says.

Chef Christine Neugebauer of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Philadelphia, advises that when traveling, pack your own beverages. By doing this, you can choose water, green tea and non-sugary juices. She also warns against hotels’ continental breakfasts. Be careful what you choose, because a small meal like yogurt or an orange may be all you need. Choosing a smaller plate will also prevent you from filling up on extra calories.

It all comes down to food choices where stress and food are concerned. When stressed, you are more likely to make a quick, bad choice. “Make sure when you shop you buy healthier foods. So when you need something, that is what you are going to eat,” says Neugebauer.

"The vicious cycle of guilt regarding our eating habits steps in and worsens the current stress situation," Smith-Ransome says. "Add guilt to the situation, and the stress levels increase - compounding the problem."

Smith-Ransome warns that when stressed, one should stay away from caffeine and sugar. It's easy to grab an energy drink or a candy bar because they're accessible and in every convenience and drug store in America. Once the rush is gone from sugary, caffeine-packed foods, you're facing a crash unless you continue to eat and drink to keep your body in the high. Continuing to eat and drink these products will compound the situation even more because you then become sleep-deprived, which raises the levels of anxiety and slows you down.

The best way to attack bad eating choices during a moment of stress is to maintain your body and mind at equilibrium. Before an important interview, presentation or exam, try eating whole foods and complete meals, and forget about the bag of cookies. While these satiate the appetite at the moment, it certainly won't keep your blood-sugar levels stable, making it difficult to cope with your initial problem: high stress.

Neugebauer recommends packing a snack or eating a healthy meal that will last, and small meals throughout the day keep you from getting hungry.

It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to communicate with your mind that you are full. Neugebauer emphasizes the importance of drinking water when gauging your hunger level. She says, “sometimes you think you’re hungry and you’re not. If you drink some water, then you may not be hungry anymore.” By making informed, careful food choices during times of stress, you can help ensure what you eat doesn't add extra calories, fat and poor nutrition to your worries.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/18708109_web.jpgGive your game day fans delicious and healthy snacks to help them cheer their team on to victory80850001011/28/2015

(BPT) - When hosting a big game day party, you plan the food, TV location, seating arrangements and decorations for your big game-watching party. In the same fashion, Ted Harper, the team sports dietitian of the New England Patriots, meticulously plans the diets of his team members to maximize each player’s performance and recovery.

While your guests probably aren't experiencing the same hard hits as the players on the field, everyone still needs a healthy diet to battle the stresses of everyday life and cheer their favorite team on to victory. According to Harper, a big part of one’s nutrition plan should be mindful snacking habits.

“One very easy way to improve your overall nutrition is to replace some or all of your not-so-wise snacks like chips, cheese flavored crackers, sugary fruit snacks, pre-made snack cakes, cookies, soda or candy, with something that still tastes good, but is full of healthy nutrients,” says Harper. “Pistachios are one of the best recommendations I can make, because they’re packed with many important nutrients and because they are very versatile.”

Pistachios contain potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which can contribute to a lower risk of heart disease. They’re also a great snack to help with weight management and may help lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension, according to studies.

People who eat a handful of nuts daily have a 20 percent lower death rate, according to a 30-year research project published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the largest study of its kind. In addition, other supporting studies showed people who eat nuts regularly tend to remain leaner due to an association with reduced waist sizes and less weight gain throughout the course of life, compared to individuals who don’t regularly eat nuts.

“Not only do pistachios contain fiber and protein, but a study showed that people tend to eat less when they snack on in-shell pistachios,” Harper says. “Cracking open each nut slows down your consumption, and the empty shells serve as an unconscious visual reminder of how much you’ve eaten.”

Not only are they great for snacks, pistachios are a good addition to many other delicious recipes you already have on hand. "They can be incorporated into smoothies or used to top off oatmeal or a salad," Harper says.

For a dazzling game day snack, try this tasty pistachio recipe from Chef Ben Berryhill.

In a 2-quart sauce pot, saute onions and tortilla pieces until they are lightly browned. Add tomato, garlic, and cilantro and saute until wilted and fragrant. Add stock or broth and ground pistachios, then simmer and stir for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a blender, combine sauce and cleaned poblanos. Puree until smooth and season with salt to taste. Heat and serve in a warm ceramic bowl. Garnish with crema and cotija cheese. Serve with warm, thick corn tortillas.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/19170304_web.jpgHow to make sure cleaning up isn't your only holiday activity809394010111/13/2014

(BPT) - The holidays are upon us. It’s time for friends and family to gather, houseguests to move in, and marathon cooking and baking sessions to begin. Before any of these activities can start, and certainly once all of them are finished, there’s plenty of cleaning up to do.

No one likes to clean, but it’s an eventuality of the season. So how do you spend more of your holiday celebrating and less of it cleaning up before and after each get-together? It’s easier than you may think with these tips.

* Simplify your cooking cleanup. Casseroles and slow cooker recipes are as synonymous with the season as a turkey. Spray your pans and slow cooker with PAM Cooking Spray before adding the ingredients to prevent your food from sticking to the sides. This handy tip can also be applied to your a saucepans and stock pots, ensuring your famous gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce come out clean.

* Clean the spaces where people will be. Your houseguests or visitors won’t occupy your entire house while they’re staying with you; so clean the areas where they will spend the most time. This means picking up the living room, organizing guest bedrooms and ensuring the bathroom they will use is clean and ready to go. You can save time by simply shutting the doors to rooms they won’t need and save those cleaning projects for another day.

* Make baking a breeze. Whether it’s pies, loafs, cookies or cakes, dessert is one of the best parts of a holiday meal. Applying PAM Baking Spray to your dishes, sheets and tins will prevent your baked goods from sticking and ensure a more beautiful final product (no deformed desserts, here!). PAM Cooking Spray leaves 99 percent (see editor note below) less residue than leading brands of margarine or bargain-brand sprays, ensuring a much easier cleanup so you can get on with your holiday preparations and celebrations.

* Make it a family affair. Who says you have to do all the cleaning by yourself? You can clean your home more quickly and effectively if you enlist everyone to help. Smaller children can handle taking out the trash or picking up their toys and clothes; older children can vacuum or dust. In the kitchen, ask the kids to help bake by spraying the cookie cutters with PAM Baking before cutting. You’ll then have better shaped dough that doesn’t stick and will be easier to clean up. Make it a family affair and you’ll be finished in no time.

* Take care of that Christmas tree. Nothing defines the season like a fully decorated, aromatic Christmas tree. Minimize needle cleanup by placing a tree-disposal bag under the base when you set up the tree. When it’s time to take it down, simply encompass the tree with the bag and haul it outside.

The holidays are an exciting, memorable time, so employ the tips above to spend more time making memories instead of cleaning up after them. For more ways to simplify your holidays, visit PAM Cooking Spray on Facebook.

Editor's note: Versus a leading brand of margarine, leading bargain brand of canola-oil cooking spray, and vegetable-oil cooking spray, after baked at 400 F for 30 minutes, cooled, and washed in one regular dishwasher cycle.

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http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/20738689_web.jpgBe a super shopper: where to splurge and save at the grocery store808253405011/20/2014

(BPT) - Every time you walk into a grocery store you are hit with a barrage of options: fresh, frozen, canned, store brand, name brand, organic. Even with your shopping list in hand, the choices can be overwhelming. Knowing when you should splurge and where you can save can make all the difference in your grocery store shopping.

Meat

“The one thing that you really want to not scrimp on is your meat,” says chef Odette Smith-Ransome of The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Up to 15 percent of the contents of cheaper and frozen meats can actually be water or stock. When it comes to chicken, Smith-Ransome adds that the higher priced chicken is probably a younger chicken. “When they harvest the younger chickens, they’re more tender with a better flavor to them.”

With regard to seafood, chef Nathan Lane of The International Culinary School at The Art Institutes International - Kansas City says that you can tell the difference between wild caught and farm raised seafood, and believes the wild caught is worth the extra money.

Smith-Ransome says that if you are able to get your meat from a farmers market or farm where you can see that the animals are being raised correctly, it is worth the extra money.

Produce

Lane encourages you to try farmers markets for produce. Not only are you supporting local farmers, but you are also getting things that are fresh and in season, and he finds it to be comparable to a grocery store or a bit cheaper on most items. The items that may cost a bit more are definitely worth it. Lane says organics are not always worth the extra money, but, “it’s important to treat your body with respect and know that what you’re putting into it is coming from reputable sources.”

Smith-Ransome recommends spending your money on fresh vegetables, by going someplace where you can actually see the fruit and vegetables. When you buy fruit in a big bag, it may be cheaper, but when you get it home you may find items that have bad spots on them. When picking out individual pieces, you will really take care to get good items.

Dairy

“I don’t find much difference between brands of milk and cream,” says Lane. It’s worth the extra money to buy cheese that is really cheese. Smith-Ransome explains that you don’t want the product to say “cheese food” or “cheese product” – indicators that these are processed products with added ingredients to look like cheese. Lane adds that it is worth the money to buy the real imported cheese. For instance skip the “Spanish-Style Manchego” cheese and opt for the real Manchego cheese from Spain. The same goes for Parmesan cheese: the real imported cheese will taste much better than the stuff in a can.

Be careful when purchasing butter or margarine, because the less expensive brands are usually less expensive because they are adding water to the product, says Smith-Ransome. Read the labels and keep on the look-out for water in the list of ingredients and also the word spread. The addition of water can throw off tried and true recipes.

Lane says it’s worth it to splurge for a better ice cream. Cheap ice creams can have air blended in so you want to look for a heavier product than another in the same sized container.

Canned goods

“A lot of times you can find some happy discoveries when you look at canned goods,” says Smith-Ransome. Brand names aren’t always going to be the best for your purpose. She recommends trying out several brands to find one you like. The sweetness, amount of salt and taste from one brand to another can be very different. It all comes down to personal preference. Once you decide on a brand of canned good you like, Lane suggests buying fruits and vegetables that are canned whole. These items will be more versatile.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/18713759_web.jpgLearn why the future of fishing is actually farming80971101012/2/2015

(BPT) - Go to the seafood counter or local restaurant and over 91 percent of the seafood is shipped from thousands of miles away. If you are looking for a source of safe, sustainable, high quality, local seafood, you’re probably having difficulty finding it.

In the U.S., the aquaculture industry works closely with government agencies and academic institutions to help ensure that fish and shellfish farmed in the United States meet the highest standards for environmental practices, sustainability and food safety, according to Mike Freeze, president of the National Aquaculture Association. Because U.S. wild harvest fisheries are well managed and most are at maximum sustainable yield, farming fish is the sensible and sustainable answer to meeting the growing demand for seafood.

Aquaculture or fish farming is the production of marine and freshwater organisms under controlled conditions for all or part of the life cycle. This includes finfish, shellfish and aquatic plants for human consumption, stocking in sport fishing ponds, enhancing wild populations, medical research, and for hobby use in fish tanks and backyard ponds.

Some fish, like catfish and tilapia, can be raised in ponds. This is probably the earliest form of aquaculture and was practiced in China and Egypt about 3,000 years ago. Fish like trout need moving freshwater and are raised in raceways. In raceways, the water is diverted from a natural source, flows through the system and is then returned to the source. Water exiting the system must be of the same or better quality than the receiving water. The most sophisticated systems are recirculating systems where the water is used in the system, cleaned and then reused. Since the water is reused in these systems, they can be located almost anywhere - even in the desert or in abandoned inner city buildings.

Offshore aquaculture operations can help supply the world with much needed protein. These systems are located far from shore and can take advantage of the miles of open-ocean around the world. Aquaculture is one of the most efficient ways to raise animal protein and shows great promise as a way to feed a growing and hungry world without compromising environmental quality. In1979, Jacques Cousteau, an advocate for the marine environment, said, “We must plant the sea and herd its animals using the sea as farmers instead of hunters. That is what civilization is all about - farming replacing hunting.”

The farming of oysters, clams and mussels helps to maintain environmental quality. Algae can grow rapidly during the summer and cause a “bloom.” When the bloom dies off, a high volume of the oxygen in the water is used. Because shellfish feed on algae, they can help keep the ecosystem system in balance so that more oxygen is available for other organisms. In addition, because of the three-dimensional structure of their shells, they provide habitats and hiding places for other animals. This adds to biodiversity which is a cornerstone of a healthy ecosystem.

Aquaculture has another important benefit - sustainability. Some species like sturgeon are facing extinction in the wild, but aquaculture is helping to ensure that future generations will still be able to enjoy both sturgeon and caviar. Another fish that is rapidly disappearing from its natural habitat is Atlantic salmon, but aquaculture is making it plentiful on menus and at seafood counters.

Fish produced in the United States are regulated from breeding to harvest and then through the processing and distribution steps. Fish farmers must follow a strict set of federal, state and, in some cases, local regulations. Those regulations prohibit the use of added hormones and antibiotics to enhance growth. Only a few drugs have been approved and must be used under the direction of a licensed veterinarian.

Many environmental organizations place U.S. farm-raised fish and shellfish on their “Best Seafood Choices” lists. U.S. farm-raised fish and shellfish are good choices for the environment and, because prices and supply are stable, they can provide a great-tasting, healthy, sustainable option for dinner. Visit the National Aquaculture Association website at www.thenaa.net to learn more.

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/21319866_web.jpgKeep your home comfortable for the holidays809016040411/11/2014

(BPT) - Holidays make for hectic homes. With family and friends coming in and out, overnight guests staying for days at a time and holiday celebrations going on, it’s hard enough to keep up with it all, much less keep your home comfortable and welcoming for all who spend time there. Here are some tips for keeping everyone in your home as comfortable as possible over the holidays - including you.

Set the tone at the front door

Your home’s first impression starts at the front door. Once people get past your home’s exterior holiday decorations, make sure the interior also extends an inviting atmosphere. Appeal to their senses by creating sights, sounds and aromas that evoke comfort, such as soft, cozy lighting, a crackling fire in the fireplace and the smell of simmering cider on the stove.

Create a comfortable guest room

Keep your guest room at an optimal sleeping temperature so guests remain well rested. About 65 degrees makes for the best sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If your guest room is in a retrofitted area that’s difficult to heat or cool, consider a system with more reliable control. American Standard’s ductless mini-split systems are ideal for room additions or areas where ductwork is impractical or too expensive to install. The compact wall- or ceiling-mounted units come in single and multi-room configurations that connect to one outdoor unit, for flexible, efficient comfort.

Keep the cupboards well-stocked

With weeks of household activities, everyone needs energy to keep going. Keep a variety of grab-and-go snacks on hand that require no preparation: a big bowl of oranges and bananas; refrigerated snacks like individual sized yogurt or cheese sticks; and protein-packed options like granola or jerky. Keep bagels, peanut butter, jam and cream cheese on hand. Set up a help-yourself coffee station offering a holiday coffee blend, flavored creamers and mugs; keep the coffee maker prefilled and ready to brew.

Bask in a beautiful bathroom

Make your bathroom a haven from the hectic holiday for everyone in the house. Set out hand soaps, lotions and shampoos with pleasant seasonal scents, like apple orchard, spiced pumpkin, cranberry or ever-popular evergreen. Fill a basket with fun bathtub toys for visiting little ones. Replace worn out towels with fluffy new ones. Add a holiday-themed nightlight in the hallway so people can safely make their way to the bathroom during the night.

Avoid heating problems over the holiday

Before the holiday rush begins, take time to seal any leaks from windows and doors to keep warm air in and cold air out. Now is also a good time to make sure your home’s entire heating system is in tip-top shape and operating as efficiently as possible, preventing heating problem surprises over the holiday. A qualified American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning dealer can inspect your system and recommend any adjustments to make sure your home stays comfortable throughout the holidays and beyond. Find a dealer near you at www.americanstandardair.com/find-your-dealer.

(BPT) - When you hear the phrase “pairing tips,” do you instinctively grab your wine opener and pull out stemmed glasses? Wine is divine, but over the past few years there’s no denying that craft beers are trending and getting foodies everywhere excited to re-think pairing possibilities. Artisan and handcrafted beers are no longer just an afterthought on the drink menu - they’re standing tall next to your favorite red and white wine varietals, proving to be just as food-friendly.

Whether you’re an aspiring sommelier or a beer enthusiast, it’s time to pour a glass of something new and see how the other side pairs. Get started with these tips from renowned foodie expert and blogger Brian Samuels of “A Thought for Food.” Samuels recommends the acclaimed, handcrafted wine varietals of Bridlewood Estate Winery along with your beer of choice. For more information visit www.BridlewoodWinery.com.

Food: Burger with caramelized onions

Beverage: Pinot noir or English IPA

Why: Burgers and beer always seem like a natural pairing, but have you ever tried pairing it with a glass of wine? Next time you’re lighting up the grill, pull out a bottle of Bridlewood Pinot Noir. A slight char on the burger pairs beautifully with the hint of black pepper in the wine. For the brew lovers in the group, serve an English IPA. The caramel notes that come through in the beer pair perfectly with burger toppings such as grilled red onions.

Food: Lobster roll

Beverage: Chardonnay or Pilsner

Why: There are few things more enjoyable than sitting outside on a blazing hot summer day with a tall beer or a glass of wine. Pilsners and chardonnay are lighter options that pair with a variety of foods. For heavier dishes, like a lobster roll, the vanilla notes of a chardonnay go perfectly with the natural sweetness of the lobster meat. If craft beer is more your thing, try a Pilsner. The slight bitterness (from the hops) and sweetness (from the malt) flavors, as well as the fizziness of the beer, help cut through the richness in the creamy lobster roll.

Food: Roasted vegetables with Gorgonzola and fresh herbs

Beverage: Brown ale or cabernet sauvignon

Why: Traditionally cabernet pairs best with meat, but what about a dish for vegetarians? Roast up cold weather favorites such as carrots, parsnips and turnips to bring out their natural sweetness. These satisfying flavors will shine when sipping on cabernet sauvignon with its subtle notes of chocolate and molasses - or try a glass of brown ale, which embodies caramel and nutty flavors.

Food: Chocolate truffles

Beverage: Red blend or stout

Why: End the feast with a plate of decadent chocolate truffles and serve with the Bridlewood Blend 175, loaded with jammy notes. For the beer lovers at the table, a stout, which is rich in chocolate and coffee notes, is another natural accompaniment.

(BPT) - Sports fans today crave exciting and engaging viewing experiences. They want the latest in technology, outstanding production quality and most importantly, they want to see the event on their terms. The rise of on-demand entertainment and accessible sports video content has driven the demand for a more engaging viewing experience. These fans want access to their favorite events, without paying extra fees.

Thanks to a new series, fans of one of the world’s oldest sports are rallying behind the call: “Boxing is Back.”

Boxing fans will be able to enjoy fights on network television for the first time in decades - instead of being limited to only pay-per-view events. The new Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) series (starting March 7 on NBC, March 13 on Spike TV, and April 4 on CBS) is elevating the sport of boxing by featuring both state-of-the-art audio and data-driven visual elements for those watching at home, and spectators in the arena. The networks have promised a modern immersive multi-media experience to fans that evokes a visceral emotional connection to the art of boxing.

Below are five ways that boxing and PBC will be paving the way for other sports events of the future:

1. Revolutionary action-capturing technology. While the night will be an eye-opening experience for all those inside the arena, those who watch the bouts from the comfort of their own homes can do so via network TV for the first time in decades by tuning into NBC or Spike. Viewers will get the opportunity to take in the complete visual and audio experience as part of the exciting new TV package that will include revolutionary 360-degree camera angles and high quality photos of the fighters that will provide viewers with details that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

2. Biggest names in sports broadcasting. Seven-time Emmy Award winner Al Michaels will host the program on NBC. The NBC blow-by-blow announcers include the biggest names from boxing’s glory days including Sugar Ray Leonard and Marv Albert. Spike TV announcers include acclaimed sports broadcasters Dana Jacobson, one of the first women bringing an entirely new perspective to the sport and well regarded sportscaster, Scott Hanson.

3. Iconic music theme. Each card will be accompanied by a new dynamic music score written by Oscar and Grammy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer - the man who delivered the unforgettable soundtracks to The Lion King, Gladiator and Inception, among dozens of other movies. The score features unprecedented, dramatic music with a unique percussion track inspired by fighters striking punching bags.

4. Punching up the lighting and production. The production crew for PBC created a dazzling circular array of high-definition LED screens and automated, intelligent lighting fixtures. These elements will give each fight a cinematic, big match feel while simultaneously creating an organic energy in the crowd, all with the goal of connecting the audience to the two gladiators in the ring and sweeping them up in the excitement.

5. Multi-channel experience. All PBC on NBC shows will be streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra via TV Everywhere, giving consumers additional value for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. TheNBC Sports Live Extra app is available at the App Store for iPad and iPhone, and on select tablet devices within Google Play. NBC Sports Group will provide Spanish-language (SAP) audio for all live telecasts. In addition, NBC Universo, the modern general entertainment cable channel for Latinos, will televise encore presentations of select shows.

Tickets are available for PBC’s first-ever match taking place on Saturday, March 7 at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at the historic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Tickets start at $50 and are available through Ticketmaster.

The inaugural PBC fight will bring together four of the sport’s brightest stars for an unforgettable night of hard-hitting action and entertainment. Keith Thurman vs. Robert Guerrero andAdrien Broner vs. John Molina Jr. will co-headline the opening PBC event. Spike TV's first PBC event will take place on Friday, March 13 at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time from the Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, California and feature fighters Andre Berto vs. Josesito Lopez and Shawn Porter vs. Roberto Garcia. CBS will air its first PBC event on Saturday, April 4 at 3 p.m., featuring Adonis Stevenson vs. Sakio Bika.

(BPT) - When you think of favorite winter dishes, what comes to mind? Do hearty soups and bold coffee seem like the best sources of warmth to sustain you through winter’s chill? For dishes that create comfort and warmth, don’t rule out one of the most-loved American flavors: peanut butter. Peanut butter adds flavor and flare to many dishes, from baked treats to main courses and everything in between.

Another secret staple of American cooking that adds rich flavor to dishes is sweetened condensed milk, a delicious blend of milk and sugar. This versatile ingredient provides a fool-proof base to favorite pies, fudge and more.

Peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk were front and center in two award-winning recipes from the recent 47th Pillsbury Bake-Off(R) Contest. Brenda Watts of Gaffney, South Carolina, was named the Jif(R) Peanut Butter Award Winner for her Macaroon-Peanut Butter-Chocolate Tartlets, and Barbara Estabrook of Rhinelander, Wisconsin was the Eagle Brand(R) Signature Recipe Award Winner for her Peanut and Pretzel-Peanut Butter Thumbprints.

Both recipes are simple to make and require little preparation time – a definite bonus during cold winter days. Try these recipes for a comforting treat this winter:

Heat oven to 350 F. Line 20 regular-sized muffin cups with Reynolds(R) Foil Baking Cups. Line cookie sheet with Reynolds(R) Parchment Paper and spread 1/2 cup of the coconut on the cookie sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Remove to a plate to cool.

Place the remaining 1 1/2 cups of coconut in a shallow bowl. Shape the cookie dough into 20 balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Roll each ball in the coconut, pressing the coconut lightly into the dough. With floured fingers, press the dough balls into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the muffin cups. Bake for 10-16 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool for 3 minutes. Remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes, and then remove the foil baking cups.

In a small bowl, use a whisk to beat 4 ounces (1/2 cup) of the mascarpone cheese, 1/4 cup of the powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of the coconut extract until smooth. Set aside.

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the remaining 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) of mascarpone, chocolate spread, remaining 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and remaining 1 teaspoon of coconut extract for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chocolate mixture into each cookie cup. Top with 1 teaspoon of the mascarpone mixture, sprinkle with the toasted coconut. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Yield: 20 servings

Peanut and Pretzel-Peanut Butter Thumbprints

By Barbara Estabrook of Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Prep time: 30 minutes

Total time: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 (14-ounce) can Eagle Brand(R) Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 cup Jif(R) Creamy Peanut Butter

1 teaspoon Watkins(TM) Pure Vanilla Extract

1 roll Pillsbury(TM) refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough

2/3 cup chopped, unsalted, roasted peanuts

1/2 cup coarsely chopped mini-pretzel twists

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 F. In a 1-quart, heavy saucepan, heat condensed milk and peanut butter over medium to low heat for 8-10 minutes, stirringly frequently, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla until well blended. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes or until thickened.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, break up cookie dough. Add peanuts and pretzels, and mix with a wooden spoon or knead by hand until well blended. Shape dough into 30 balls about 1 1/4 inch in diameter. Place dough balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 5-10 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately place an indentation in each cookie by pressing in the center with the back of a teaspoon. Cool for 2 minutes and remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Place peanut butter mixture into a large, resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut off a small corner of the bag. Squeeze the bag to pipe about 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the center of each cookie to fill the indentation.

In a small, microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips uncovered on high for 40-60 seconds, stirring once, until chips can be stirred smooth. Place melted chips in a small, resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut off a tiny corner of the bag and squeeze the bag to drizzle melted chips over the cookies. Let stand 10 minutes. Store covered.

Yield: 30 servings

For more great dinner, dessert and appetizer recipes, visit www.bakeoff.com.

(BPT) - “Sweets for the sweet” will always be appropriate for Valentine’s Day, but what if your sweetheart isn’t a fan of boxed chocolates? Or perhaps you want to give an extra special gift by making it homemade? Baking a treat for your loved one is a great way to give a personal – and cost-effective – gift this year.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a pastry chef or even an expert home baker to create something delicious and full of love. With an easy-to-make recipe and a few baking tips, even the cooking-challenged can create something special.

Keep these simple baking tips in mind:

* Follow recipes as precisely as possible. Seasoned bakers may succeed with experimentation, but if you’re new to baking or not confident of your improvisational skills, sticking to the recipe should yield the best results.

* Measure all ingredients carefully. A tablespoon too much or too little of any ingredient can make a big difference in a recipe.

* Be careful with oven temperature settings. Don’t try to speed baking with a temperature higher than what the recipe calls for. If the recipe specifies different temperatures for different types of baking dishes, be sure to choose the setting that matches your type of bakeware.

* Resist the temptation to remove baked goods from the pan, dish or sheet right away. Allow baked goodies to cool for the amount of time prescribed in the recipe. Rushing it could result in crumbling or cracking.

Armed with these tips, try surprising your sweetheart with these easy, delicious recipes from Pillsbury.com:

Peanutty Pie Crust Clusters

By Beth Royals of Richmond, Virginia -- $1 million winner of the 47th Pillsbury Bake-Off(R) Contest

With just six ingredients, these clusters are easy to make. Plus, the inclusion of peanut butter and pie crust evokes a nostalgic and warm feeling.

Heat oven to 450 F. Line 2 cookie sheets with Reynolds(R) Cut-Rite(R) Wax Paper. Unroll pie crust on work surface. With pizza cutter or knife, cut into 16 rows by 16 rows to make small squares. Arrange squares in single layer on large ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove squares from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about five minutes.

While cookies cool, heat sweetened condensed milk and almond butter in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to bubble. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool 2 minutes. Spoon one heaping teaspoon of condensed milk mixture into each cookie cup.

In small bowl, mix remaining two tablespoons of toffee bits and the almonds. To serve, top each cup with about one tablespoon of whipped cream topping and about 1/4 teaspoon of the almond mixture.

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http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/20002392_web.jpgBon appetit: The top 10 restaurant trends for 2015809437010212/19/2014

(BPT) - Each year the restaurant industry is full of vibrant change. To better understand what is trending on restaurant menus in 2015, the National Restaurant Association surveyed professional chefs of the American Culinary Federation to get their insight into what food, cuisines, beverages and culinary themes will be hot in 2015.

Here are their top 10.

1. Locally sourced meats and seafood

‘Local’ continues to dominate the industry as 2014’s top trend repeats in 2015 – especially when it comes to proteins: pork, poultry, beef, fish, shellfish, you name it. Expect this trend to stay strong throughout the year and into next year as well.

2. Locally grown produce

Runner-up for the second year in a row, locally grown produce has been near the top for years. Consumers are more and more interested in where their food is coming from, so it’s not surprising this trend is near the forefront once again.

3.Environmental sustainability

Taste is just one of many factors to consider in today’s restaurant industry. Contemporary consumers are more eco-conscious than ever before and this mindset applies to their restaurant choices as well. In fact, 55 percent of restaurant goers say they’re more likely to pick a restaurant that offers eco-friendly fare.

4. Healthful kids’ meals

As Americans continue to put increased focus on health and nutrition, more emphasis is being placed on what people eat at a young age. The National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell program can help children and their parents make healthful choices at more than 150 participating restaurant brands and 42,000 locations across the country.

5. Natural ingredients/minimally processed food

An off-shoot of the popularity of local sourcing, many of today’s top chefs are opting to let their ingredients shine in their natural state, showcasing flavors delectable to their guest.

6. New cuts of meat

Sirloin cap, teres major and tri-tip may not be household names like T-bone, porterhouse or rib-eye, but you can expect these new cuts of meat to gain in trendiness throughout 2015.

7. Hyper-local sourcing

This goes beyond buying fresh produce at the local farmers market. Some restaurants are actually creating their own gardens on the restaurant property, ensuring that freshness remains just a few feet away. Many restaurants are also adding their own house-made food and drinks to menus, showing that it doesn’t get more local than their own kitchens.

8. Sustainable seafood

The sustainable seafood movement that began in the 1990s has lost none of its vitality. This trend is likely to stay strong in the years ahead as well.

9. Food waste reduction/management

Food waste is the third largest stream of waste in the United States. As the entire country seeks to reduce its carbon footprint, the restaurant industry is following suit. The National Restaurant Association’s Conserve program is a resource for owners, operators, chefs, employees and their guests, and it allows them all to explore and learn about food waste reduction in the restaurant business.

10. Farm/estate-branded items

Vineyards have produced wine under their own estate names for generations, and more farms are now starting to produce their own branded produce, meats and herbs, too. This allows chefs to offer new, popular and recognizable brands to their guests.

]]>Win big by losing calories on game day80977901011/28/2015

(BPT) - Everyone knows the Big Game is not only about football and commercials, it’s also about gathering around an impressive spread of food and drinks. Game day is second only to Thanksgiving for calorie intake for Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The average viewer eats much more than a day’s worth of calories on game day through traditional fanfare, like Buffalo wings, chili and beer.

As the Big Game approaches, the pressure is rising to keep those game-day eats as interesting as the advertisements. “Look for twists on fan favorites with fewer calories and your football friends won’t know the difference,” says Cristina Rivera, a registered dietitian, and consultant to food and beverage companies like Coca-Cola. “Regardless of who wins on the field, you’ll score some points with your family and friends by providing them with options to keep their minds on the game and off their waistlines.”

Here are a few of Cristina’s tips:

Tip #1: Make simple swaps.

Did you know? The Calorie Control Council estimates that during the game, Americans pack away 30 million pounds of snacks during this time each year. Get creative with your spread and offer fruits and vegetables. Serve heart-healthy dips like hummus or guacamole for a game day win.

Tip #2: Serve smaller.

Enjoying all the foods and beverages you love without going overboard may sound like a difficult task on game day, but it is possible. Serving smaller or “mini size” portions to your guests gives them their favorite without the guess work. Burger sliders, buffalo bites, Coca-Cola mini cans (also in Diet Coke and Coke Zero) and mini desserts are great portion-controlled options for your party guests.

Tip #3: Practice mindfulness.

Research shows individuals who eat while distracted take in more calories without realizing it. Being mindful of how much you eat during the Big Game can be as simple as plating your food rather than eating directly out of the bowl. If hosting, another great strategy is keeping the food station away from the television.

Tip #4: Score with a substitution.

They’re fan favorites for a reason, and no viewing party would be complete without wings, chili or dips. So, look for ways to substitute ingredients for versions with less calories. For example, season and bake chicken wings instead of frying them. Use ground turkey in your chili to save calories and your guests will hardly notice. Also, Greek yogurt is a great addition to cream-based recipes like spinach and artichoke dip - it also adds protein!

#5: Get physical.

On a day where eating and drinking is just as exciting as the Big Game, balance your energy needs by making an effort to move more. “Warm up” for game day by gathering friends to play flag football or have a ball toss. Or fire up the Wii during halftime or get a good old-fashioned game of Twister going.

]]>Feed your creativity with Havarti80951602082/12/2015

(BPT) - To add flavor and impact to a cheese plate, entree or even dessert, look no further than Havarti cheese. This semi-soft cheese with a buttery, creamy taste and mellow aroma delivers a delicious lift to foods.

Havarti originated in Denmark in the 1800s and is named for Havartigaard, the dairy where it was invented. Master Danish cheese makers continued the proud tradition, and today Havarti is favored around the world by home cooks and professional chefs alike.

“Havarti is an incredibly versatile, gourmet cheese that’s easy to use for nearly any dish. It’s one of my favorite cheeses and a sure-fire way to add a tasty kick to your meal,” says Chef Michael Symon, co-host of “The Chew,” author of numerous best-selling cookbooks and owner of several restaurants.

Here are some tips from the expert cheese makers at Castello for using Havarti cheese to give your favorite dishes a twist.

* Entree: Havarti also works well melted or shredded. Use flavored Havarti, such as Castello Havarti with Caraway, to transform the flavors of a traditional Reuben sandwich into a creative culinary adventure. In Chef Symon’s Reuben Ravioli with Caraway Havarti, the flavors of caraway and creaminess of Havarti provide the feeling and flavor that rye bread usually gives a Reuben, all tucked into a ravioli.

Create a mixture of corned beef, sauerkraut and grated Havarti with Caraway cheese. Lay out potsticker wrappers or fresh pasta and insert the filling. Drop the filled pasta into boiling water until cooked. Toss with melted butter, scallions, chives and mustard seeds.

Chef Symon also takes dessert to a new level with his recipe for Apple Pie with Aged Havarti Crust found at castellocheeseusa.com. Add shredded Havarti to the crust, using its buttery, creamy flavor to complement a filling of Granny Smith apples, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar and dark brown sugar. Before popping it in the oven, dot with butter and top with turbinado sugar, for a heavenly ending to any meal.

It’s easy to transform the time-honored turkey into a feast of flavors, according to Symon.

“For a tasty twist on the holiday bird, butterfly-cut a boneless turkey breast and fill it with a mixture of Castello(R) crumbled Danish Blue Cheese, seasoned with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and minced shallots. Roll it up in jellyroll fashion, tie with twine and drizzle with olive oil. It’s simple to prepare and will be a festive hit.”

The key to this recipe’s tastiness is Castello Danish Blue Cheese. Its sharp and slightly salty flavor, referred to as the blue “bite,” adds epicurean excitement to turkey, along with a dash of self-indulgence. To bring out the cheese’s flavor, serve with accompaniments such as pears, olives, cranberries or rye bread.

Apple Pie with Havarti Crust

Apples and cheese have long been friends, so why not marry the two flavors in an amazing pie recipe? Simply add shredded Aged Havarti to the crust. Pulse traditional crust ingredients in a food processor until small crumbs form, then pulse in the shredded cheese. According to Symon, “Castello(R) Aged Havarti’s rich, creamy texture and crunchy flecks of salt crystals are the perfect partner for an apple pie crust.”

For the filling, Granny Smith apples complement the Aged Havarti flavor and blend beautifully with traditional ingredients like granulated and dark brown sugar, cinnamon and fresh nutmeg. Real butter and heavy cream add even more richness to the recipe.

The result, according to Symon, is a decidedly decadent apple pie with Aged Harvarti’s buttery flavor: “This pie is the ultimate holiday comfort food - no matter how you slice it,” Symon says.

(BPT) - Few things cause more parental frustration than trying to get a picky eater to enjoy a well-rounded diet. Whether your child has been picky all his life, or, out of nowhere is now turning up his nose at healthy foods he previously adored, it’s easy to feel like your failing as a caregiver.

“I think we need to remember that it is developmentally appropriate for children to not only move in and out of enjoying certain foods, but also to test limits and boundaries with their parents around refusing to eat what we give them,” says Dr. Aimee Gould Shunney, a licensed naturopathic doctor specializing in women’s health and family medicine.

A parent herself, when Shunney’s son goes through phases when he eats only certain things, she tries to remain consistent and optimistic.

“I believe it’s part of my job as a mama to keep a positive tone in my voice as I offer variety, explain the importance of protein for muscles and smarts, and sing the praises of eating a rainbow – even after a full day’s work while going up against a tired first-grader who only wants dessert,” she says. “I think the biggest mistake we make is when we just give up and give in because, well, it can be exhausting.”

To help parents win the food fights and bring peace to the dinner table, Shunney offers five simple ideas for transforming a child with finicky tendencies into an amazing eater with optimal nutrition.

1. Cook more. Cook for your children and make their dishes simple without lots of sauces and spices. If possible, let them help you cook so they can be part of the fun. Cooking whole unprocessed foods will ensure your family is getting the biggest nutrition bang for your buck. There will be less sodium, sugar, additive and preservatives as well.

2. Eat more veggies. Present them with choices: Would you like carrots or red peppers? Pickles or olives? Try starting dinner with a raw veggie plate and let your kids select what they want. It’s a healthy appetizer that makes eating whole foods a regular part of the meal routine.

3. Pick your protein. Find three protein meals your kids like and use them often for dinner and lunches. Peanut butter and jelly should not be an everyday option. Other ideas: Alaskan salmon burgers, organic chicken strips and eating breakfast for dinner that includes a protein like eggs. Choose animal products that are pastured and fed organic feed. If you eat beef, choose grass-fed – this will provide better fats for your children’s development, immune system and cognitive function, as well as help you avoid exposure to chemicals and antibiotics.

4. Supplements Supplements are really important for kids – even ones who eat well. A good multivitamin can help bridge the gap for a picky eater. Add in an omega-3 EPA and DHA supplement which has numerous well-researched benefits in areas like childhood immunity, behavior and attention, cognitive function and emotional well-being. Try Nordic Naturals for a potent, clean and tasty fish oil product that is guaranteed to be free of heavy metals and toxins, plus they make easy-to-dose products for infants and children of all ages. Finally, try a vitamin D supplement – 400 I.U. for breast-fed infants, 500 I.U. from 1-3 years old, 800 I.U. from 4-8 years old, and 1300 I.U. from 9-18 years old.

5. Show them. Teach them good eating habits by modeling good eating habits. Share your favorite foods. Sit down at the table and eat. Love your veggies. Relish your protein. Don’t overdo it on starch. Take it easy on dessert. Drink water. Enjoy your food.

“We often take health and nutrition way too seriously and it stops being any fun. I believe that eating food is one of the supreme joys of life, particularly when it’s eaten with people you love!” says Shunney. “Planning meals, preparing food, eating it together while talking and laughing – even the clean up – can all be fun if we make that our intention. The more fun it is, the more our kids will want to participate, and the more they do that, the more engaged they will be around food and family.”

]]>http://images.brandpointcontent.s3.amazonaws.com/20941719_web.jpgThe perfect recipes for the season's top events809263010111/18/2014

(BPT) - Baking season has officially arrived, and with it, a host of activities that will have you donning your favorite apron and whipping up something scrumptious. And you won’t be alone – nearly six in 10 Americans say they plan to give homemade gifts during the holiday season, such as baked goods or crafts, according to a 2013 survey from Pew Research. This year, no matter what is on your social calendar, you can be the star baker with a few impressive recipes that are simple to make but leave a lasting impression. Consider these amazing sweet treats for the top holiday events of the season:

Holiday hosting

Are you hosting a festive holiday party? Whether it’s a luncheon for friends or a formal dinner party with extended family, end the event on a sweet note by making the HERSHEY'S Gone to Heaven Chocolate Pie. This indulgent pie is a little slice of heaven that will have guests begging for the recipe.

Meet the parents

The holidays are a great time for new loves to introduce each other to special family members. If that thought leaves you worried, just make HERSHEY'S "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" Chocolate Cake and bring it to the big occasion. The rich layers of chocolate goodness are sure to help make an amazing first impression.

Cookie exchanges

Whether it’s your first cookie exchange or you’re an experienced pro, it’s always fun to get together with friends and trade sweet treats. When you make the Double Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll have an instant favorite that will have all your friends buzzing.

Bake sales

‘Tis the season for bake sales! Be sure to bake a winning treat to help raise money for your favorite groups and organizations. One delicious goodie sure to get scooped up right away is HERSHEY'S Ultimate Chocolate Brownies. After all, it’s hard to resist fudgy brownies topped with decadent frosting and dark chocolate chips.

Secret Santa

Bake love into every bite to get on your secret Santa’s nice list! Try filling a colorful tin with the beloved Peanut Butter Blossoms Cookies. Instantly brighten someone’s day with this simple, yet delicious recipe. Just don’t forget to save a few blossoms for Santa!

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Makes about 48 cookies.

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Find the perfect wine based on personality [Infographic]808717010311/21/2014

(BPT) - When it comes to wine, each variety has subtle hints of flavors and aromas that characterize the wine’s personality. Not surprisingly, these personality traits can be reflected in the preferred tastes of individuals when it comes to choosing a wine. This infographic provides a fun, unscientific look at the different personalities for many wine varieties, so you can pick the right choice when presenting a gift for a host or hostess this holiday season.

]]>Meal-planning hacks to help you dine fast and healthy809386010111/10/2014

(BPT) - A fast pace and busy schedule may make you think that frequenting restaurants and fast food spots is faster than cooking at home. But it is possible to reduce the time you spend in the kitchen – and the money you spend from your wallet. Planning meals ahead of time, making one large grocery trip each week and taking a few hours on the weekend to prep your food for the upcoming week can help ensure that you have dinner on the table quickly, no matter how busy your weeknights get.

To make meal-planning easy, keep these time-saving hacks in mind:

Keep low cost, highly versatile ingredients on hand

Beans: Not only are they a great source of protein, but you can use them in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups and chili.

Grains: Easy to buy in bulk for extra savings, grains such as quinoa, brown rice or barley store easily in an air-fresh container and can serve as a foundation to any meal.

Frozen steam-in bag veggies: You’ll need a side for that roast chicken. Frozen vegetables offer the same nutritional value as fresh ones with the convenience of microwave cooking in less than five minutes. What’s more, you can use them to make a variety of meals from pasta dishes to casseroles. Consider new Alexia Parmesan Peas, French Herb green beans or Italian Herb Corn with Sun-Dried Sweet Tomatoes.

Diced tomatoes: The vine-ripened taste of diced tomatoes, like Hunt’s, can easily combine with frozen veggies and beans for a soup. Saute them with onions, or quickly puree them for a homemade pasta sauce.

Flavor your entrees faster

Some say fresh herbs make everything better. But when herbs aren’t in season or you feel too time pressed to go beyond the dried spice bottles, consider these time-saving seasoning tips to elevate your entree. Peel garlic cloves faster by quickly crushing them with your hands and tossing the cloves into a big bowl. Flip another bowl upside down to cover the garlic-filled bowl. Shake the two bowls together vigorously for 10 seconds. The garlic should emerge perfectly peeled.

Want to extend fresh herbs beyond the season? Add herbs such as cilantro or basil to ice cube trays and fill with olive oil before freezing. Simply pop out individual cubes when sauteing vegetables, cooking pasta or roasting meats.

Repurpose leftovers

Don’t stress yourself out making a new meal when you still have some left from the last one. You can also get creative and combine leftovers to prepare new meals. Try throwing yesterday’s chicken into your favorite whole-wheat pasta. Or, use leftover potatoes, like Alexia Smart Classics Tri-cut Potatoes, for a breakfast mix-up that will surprise your family. All you’ll need are a few staples from the refrigerator like ham, onion and green pepper and voila.

Map out your meal

Look for ways to cook once and have enough food for the rest of the week. Making dishes in bulk and freezing them or cooking up a big batch of protein to incorporate into several different meals are all ways you can make a day in the kitchen stretch into meals for the week.

(BPT) - When it comes to eggs and the hens that lay them, you hear a lot of terms bandied about: cage-free, farm fresh, organic and free range, to name a few. One term you likely haven’t heard is Hendependence. This means giving hens the freedom to enjoy the things that come naturally – like be outside on the grass and under the sun, flap their wings, take dust baths, and just hang out in the shade with other hens.If you’ve never heard of Hendependence, or you’re ready to learn more, follow the Happy Hen’s Manifesto here:

]]>The recipe of holiday tradition [Infographic]809496010111/10/2014

(BPT) - Delectable food is as much a part of any holiday tradition as the destination, the events or the people themselves and many of the best dishes come from an old, family recipe. Follow this infographic to learn more about how recipes are passed down from generation to generation see if the practices shown are common in your family.